Piadini look a lot like pizzas, but because the crust is made without yeast and does not need to rise, they are much quicker and easier to make. Piadini are also cooked on the grill rather than baked in the oven, which gives them a nice, smoky flavor and crunchy crust. While you can top a piadina with anything you like, including tomato sauce and mozzarella, this sauceless combination is very typical of northern Italy, where piadini are especially popular.
Recipe information
Yield
4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Combine the flour, baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt in the bowl of an upright mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until incorporated, about 2 minutes. With the machine running, slowly add up to 2/3 cup water, until the mixture forms a dough around the hook. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead for 5 minutes, or until smooth. Cut the dough into 4 equal pieces. Form into disk shapes and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 2
Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill.
Step 3
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out each piece of dough into an 8- to 10-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. Brush each circle with the olive oil. Grill for 4 minutes on each side. Remove the piadini from the grill and let cool slightly.
Step 4
Combine the ricotta cheese and lemon zest in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Spread each piadina with 1/2 cup of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle the Fontina cheese evenly over the ricotta cheese. Arrange the prosciutto slices on top of the cheeses. Cut each piadina into 8 wedges and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with the chopped basil.
