If you’re a fan of bread and baking, you’re not alone. Our team at NYSF loves anything related to these delicious and comforting foods, and we’re always eager to share our discoveries and tips with you. As part of our Kitchen and Baking Tips, in this post, we discuss one of our favorite bread for breakfast: Friselle.
Friselle is a crunchy and versatile Italian bread that can be topped with various ingredients to suit your taste and mood. Read on to learn more about the origins, preparation, and consumption of this amazing bread.
Origins of Friselle Bread?
Friselle is an Italian bread made in a bagel shape; the dough is baked at least twice to get it crunchy. Friselle bread is native to the southern region of Italy (Puglia, Apulia, Calabria etc.). It was a staple food for traveling merchants who had to spend a long time at sea. The sailors and merchants could keep the bread for long periods because of its dry consistency, and the travelers would soak it in olive oil or seawater before eating.
Some people still soak the bread before eating, while others let the juices from toppings like tomatoes and capers moisten the bread.
How to Make Friselle Bread
So what are friselle made of? This satisfying bread is relatively easy to make. All you need is water, flour and toppings of your choice. The bread must be baked for about 40 minutes at 170 degrees Celsius, after which you leave it to cool. Once it’s cool enough to be handled, cut it in half and bake again at the same temperature for another 40 minutes, or until golden brown.
When done, you will have a smooth and rough side of the bread, and your toppings will go on the wild side. Most recipes call for white durum flour, but you can use wholewheat, or buckwheat as a healthier alternative.
Watch this video for a simple recipe:
Eating Friselle Bread
Friselle bread is a crunchy and versatile Italian bread that can be enjoyed in countless ways, from sweet to savory, and even a combination of the two. Since Frisell is dry bread, any topping you choose should have some liquid to moisten the bread well enough to eat. If you don’t want to make the bread from scratch, bakeries like Grimaldi’s and Hot Bread Kitchen sell great friselle. In some grocery stores, they are labeled as biscuits, while in some stores, they’re called frezelle, but it’s the same thing.
Here are some popular and delicious toppings for Friselle bread:
- Classic: This is my favorite way to eat friselle bread, especially in the summer. It’s simple, fresh, and satisfying. All you need is to top your friselle with chopped tomato, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and season with sea salt. Let the bread stand for a few minutes so the tomato juices and olive oil can soften it. You can also add some mozzarella cheese or olives for extra flavor. This topping is inspired by the traditional Italian bruschetta, and it’s a great way to use ripe tomatoes from your garden or the farmers’ market.
- Avocado twist: This is a healthy and creamy option for friselle lovers. You just need to moisten the friselle bread with water, smear on ripe avocado with slivered almonds, and season it with salt. You can also drizzle some lemon juice or balsamic vinegar for some acidity. This topping is rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber, and it’s perfect for breakfast or a snack. You can also add some chili flakes or cilantro for some spice and freshness.
- Nordic: This is a sophisticated and elegant topping that looks classy and is ideal for dinner parties. You need to soak your friselle in water; then add any spreadable cheese of your choice once the bread is soft. I like to use cream cheese, but you can also use goat cheese, ricotta, or mascarpone. Then, top it with smoked salmon and red onion slices. You can also garnish it with some dill, capers, or lemon zest. This topping is inspired by the Scandinavian smørrebrød, and it’s a delicious way to enjoy seafood and cheese on friselle.
- Sweet Toppings: If you have a sweet tooth, you can also enjoy friselle bread with some sweet spreads. You can use Nutella, honey, or jam, depending on your preference. I like to use Nutella for a decadent and chocolatey treat, honey for a natural and soothing option, or jam for a fruity and tangy flavor. You can also add some nuts, fruits, or whipped cream for some extra texture and sweetness. These toppings are great for dessert or a midday pick-me-up.
Watch this video for some more tips on how to season your Friselle bread:
To conclude…
Friselle is very versatile because you can enjoy it any way you want. It has a good shelf-life too, which makes it great for traveling. You can eat it as a simple snack or entertain on a platter with different toppings. Its nutritional value depends on the flour used, and it’s even better when you make your own because you have control of the ingredients used. So grab yourself some friselle and enjoy.
Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
