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Gourmet panettone

⏱ 210 min🍳 45 min👤 6 pp★★★★☆

The gourmet panettone is ideal for buffets, birthday parties, appetizers and all festive occasions! It’s a dish that simply must not be missing from your Christmas dining table! Cooked in the mould of normal panettone, and with the same shape as its traditional namesake – the dessert version – gourmet panettone is similar, a sort of brioche with a fairly neutral flavour and fluffy texture, which goes well with any filling you fancy. It’s excellent with meats, cheeses, sauces of all types, cooked or grilled vegetables, olive paste, dried tomatoes, and much more besides. Cut into slices and then into wedges, it makes an excellent impression as a dining table centrepiece, and every guest can try the range of different fillings. Try your hand at this delicious savoury panettone: it may look complex at first glance, but is actually not so difficult. The result is really excellent, and will be enjoyed by everyone!

Ingredients

Nutritional values 520 kcal / serving
Protein
16g
Carbohydrates
72g
Fat
18g
Fiber
1g

* approximate values per serving

Information
210 minutes Total time
45 minutes Active time
Serves 6 persons
★★★★☆ Hard

Preparation

Prepare all the ingredients. Put the flour, sugar and yeast in the bowl of the food mixer. Add milk, mix well, and then add the eggs. Mix well once again and finally add the flaked butter and salt. Stir the mixture until the butter is well absorbed and blended and the dough is nicely pliable. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, cover with cling film and let it rise until doubled in size. Then take the dough and gently deflate it with your fingertips. Place the dough in a panettone mould (1 kg). Let it rise again until it reaches almost to the edge. Brush the panettone with milk. Bake for about 40 minutes at 180°C. Leave the panettone to cool having skewered the base with knitting needles (see picture). Then cut the panettone into 5-7 horizontal slices. Fill the first layer as you please, for example with mayonnaise and cooked ham; cover with another unfilled layer; then add a new slice and fill with, for example, salad and fresh tomato. Proceed as above, adding a layer without filling, and then the for last layer fill with, for example, a vegetable based sauce. Cover with the last slice and the top, and cut into sections vertically. Serve.

Tips
If you are in a hurry you can skip one of the two risings, and increase the yeast to a full sachet, even if a slower rise gives greater softness to the dough. Once cooked it’s possible to freeze it, even if it’s already cut into slices.
Trivia
Panettone is the term originally used to refer to a typical dessert of the Milanese culinary tradition. Recently, there has been the development of this following variation: it uses the same mould in making a kind of ‘brioche’, a savoury version of panettone also known ‘Pan Canasta’.

Step by step

Ingredients
Ingredients
**Click on the photos to access full step by step!

Additional information

Gastronomic Panettone with cooked ham and pepper sauce

One of the tastiest variations of the Gastronomic Panettone is certainly the one with cooked ham and pepper sauce. This recipe enriches the classic dough of the panettone with savory ingredients, transforming a traditional sweet into a delicious and original appetizer. To prepare it, one starts by following the basic recipe, but adds high-quality slices of cooked ham and a generous amount of pepper sauce, which gives an intense and vibrant flavor. This version is perfect for the holidays or for a buffet, where it can surprise guests with its contrast of sweet and savory flavors. An innovative idea that will amaze guests and can be served on various occasions.

Neapolitan Gastronomic Panettone with typical ingredients

The Gastronomic Panettone can be reinterpreted in a regional key, as in the Neapolitan version. In this preparation, typical ingredients from the Campania tradition are used, such as buffalo mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes. The dough remains faithful to the traditional recipe, but the filling is enriched with a combination of melting mozzarella and tomato, creating a contrast of textures and flavors that evokes classic Neapolitan dishes. This regional variant is ideal for those who want to bring a bit of Campania to their table, making the Gastronomic Panettone a versatile dish suitable for any occasion, from a festive lunch to an informal dinner with friends.

Light Gastronomic Panettone without butter

For those who want a lighter version of the Gastronomic Panettone, it can be made without butter, replacing it with Greek yogurt or another creamy low-fat ingredient. This light variant retains the flavor of the panettone but significantly reduces the calories, making it more suitable for those following a balanced diet or for those who want to indulge without overdoing it. The dough will still be soft and fluffy, thanks to the use of fresh, quality ingredients. Additionally, vegetables such as salad or tomatoes can be added to the filling for a fresh and crunchy touch. This version is perfect for those who love to take care of their diet without sacrificing taste.

Nutritional benefits of Gastronomic Panettone and approximate calories

The Gastronomic Panettone, while being a rich dish, can offer several nutritional benefits, thanks to the presence of ingredients such as eggs and milk that provide high-quality proteins, and butter, which, when consumed in moderation, can provide good fats. The calories in a serving of Gastronomic Panettone vary depending on the ingredients used, but on average, they are around 250-300 calories per slice. It is advisable to enjoy it mindfully, perhaps pairing it with a portion of fresh salad to balance the meal. The presence of fresh ingredients like tomatoes and salad can increase the vitamin and mineral content, making the dish not only tasty but also nutritious.

Can Gastronomic Panettone be frozen?

The most common question regarding Gastronomic Panettone is whether it can be frozen. The answer is yes: Gastronomic Panettone can be frozen, but it is important to follow some precautions. Before freezing it, it is advisable to portion it into slices and wrap it well in plastic wrap, ensuring there are no empty spaces that could cause freezer burn. Once frozen, it can maintain its freshness for up to three months. To enjoy it at its best, it is recommended to thaw it in the refrigerator for a few hours or at room temperature, avoiding reheating it in the microwave so as not to compromise the texture. This way, it will be possible to enjoy a delicious Gastronomic Panettone even after some time from preparation.