Sartù di Riso

Campania · primo · serves 8 · 240 min total · hard

Born in 18th-century Naples to please French chefs of the Bourbons — the timpano-like rice dome conceals layers of meat, cheese, peas. Eat it slowly.

Ingredients

Method

  1. Ragù: soffritto of onion, brown beef and crumbled sausage. Add passata, simmer 60 minutes. Add peas in the last 10 minutes.
  2. Cook rice in salted water 12 minutes, drain very al dente. Mix with half the ragù, half the Parmigiano, a beaten egg, butter.
  3. Butter a deep round mould generously, coat with breadcrumbs.
  4. Press rice up the sides and base of the mould, leaving a cavity.
  5. Fill cavity with: cubes of mozzarella, slices of hard-boiled egg, more ragù.
  6. Cover with rice; smooth. Crumb the top.
  7. Bake at 180°C (355°F) for 45 minutes. Rest 15 minutes, unmould.
  8. Slice like a cake — the baroque interior is the show.

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