Salty Braid

17/11/2023

The salty braid is a stuffed braided bread that can be filled with various ingredients according to personal taste. Below I describe a classic version of the salty braid with ham and cheese, but remember that you can vary the filling as you prefer.

Ingredients

500 g of pizza dough (you can use the ready-made one or make it at home)
150 g of cooked ham slices
150 g of sliced cheese (emmental, mozzarella, fontina, etc.)
1 egg for brushing
Salt and pepper to taste
Poppy or sesame seeds for garnishing (optional)

Preparation

If you make the pizza dough at home, follow your favorite recipe. Otherwise, roll out the ready-made pizza dough forming a rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
Cut the rectangle into three long strips without completely separating them at the base, so you can braid the braid later.
Evenly distribute the ham and cheese slices on the three dough strips, leaving an empty margin at the edges to better seal the braid.
Gently braid the dough strips filled with ham and cheese, starting from the base and continuing to the end. Seal the edges by pinching them together to prevent the filling from coming out during cooking.
Carefully transfer the braid onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, beat the egg with a pinch of salt and brush the surface of the braid. This will help achieve a golden and shiny crust.
If desired, sprinkle the surface of the braid with poppy or sesame seeds for a crunchy and decorative finish.
Preheat the oven to 180° C and bake the braid for about 25-30 minutes, or until it is golden brown and well cooked.
Once ready, let it cool slightly before cutting it into slices and serving.

Curiosity

The salty braid is a very versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, snack, or taken to a picnic. Moreover, it is a perfect base for creativity: you can try different fillings like pesto and stracchino, grilled zucchini and scamorza, or various cold cuts like speck and smoked scamorza. Have fun and enjoy your personalized braid!