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Tricolor Danube

17/11/2023

The tricolor Danube is a variation of the classic Danube bread, but in this case, it is prepared with colors that recall the Italian tricolor, usually using ingredients that naturally provide these colors, such as tomato, spinach, and the classic white bread dough. Let’s look at the recipe together.

Ingredients

For the base dough:

  • 500 g of strong flour
  • 250 ml of lukewarm milk
  • 1 egg
  • 70 g of soft butter
  • 10 g of salt
  • 25 g of sugar
  • 15 g of fresh yeast

For the green color:

  • 150 g of fresh spinach (or equivalent frozen, squeezed)

For the red color:

  • 2 tablespoons of tomato paste

For the filling:

  • Mozzarella cubes
  • Salami cubes
  • Cubes of cooked ham

Additionally:

  • Olive oil
  • 1 egg for brushing

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the base dough: dissolve the fresh yeast in the lukewarm milk with the sugar, then add it to the flour, beginning to knead.
  2. Then add the egg and the soft butter and continue to knead until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform. Add the salt towards the end of the kneading process.
  3. Divide the dough into three equal parts. To one part, add the tomato paste and knead until you achieve a uniform red color.
  4. Add the previously cooked and chopped spinach to another part of the dough and incorporate it until you achieve a uniform green color.
  5. Leave the third part of the dough natural. Let the three doughs rise separately, in a warm place, until they double in volume, covered with a damp cloth (about 2 hours).
  6. Take the three risen doughs and divide each into many small balls.
  7. Fill each ball with a cube of mozzarella and one of salami or cooked ham.
  8. Assemble the Danube in a round baking dish, alternating the colored balls to create the tricolor effect, oil the dish beforehand.
  9. Let the Danube rise in this formation for another 30 minutes.
  10. Brush the surface with the beaten egg and bake at 180 °C for about 30 minutes, or until golden.
  11. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Curiosity

The name “Danube” comes from the idea that each ball of dough, once risen and baked, resembles an idyllic island emerging from the legendary Danube River. This tricolor version is a tribute to the Italian flag and a great idea for a festive lunch or to celebrate national events.

Tricolor Danube