The CHRISTMAS BREAD TOWERS WITH HAM AND CHEESE are a tasty and decorative appetizer, perfect for enhancing the table during the Christmas festivities. They are assembled by layering simple ingredients and presented creatively to evoke a festive atmosphere.
They can be served on a tray decorated with sprigs of rosemary or thyme for a festive touch. You can add colorful details, such as cherry tomatoes or dried fruit, for an even more showy effect.
These towers are ideal for buffets, aperitifs, or as an appetizer for Christmas lunch — easy to prepare and always appreciated for their festive look and delicious taste.
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- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very inexpensive
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 6 Servings
- Cooking methods: No-cook
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas
- Energy 220.50 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 7.39 (g) of which sugars 0.77 (g)
- Proteins 11.05 (g)
- Fat 16.50 (g) of which saturated 3.70 (g)of which unsaturated 2.13 (g)
- Fibers 0.48 (g)
- Sodium 413.54 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 72 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 6 slices sandwich bread
- 1.8 oz spreadable fresh cheese (cream cheese)
- 6 slices cooked ham
- 12 slices provolone (emmental, gouda or scamorza)
- 3.5 oz spreadable fresh cheese (cream cheese)
- 1.1 oz gorgonzola and mascarpone (about 2 tbsp)
- leaves mint leaves
- pink peppercorns
TOOLS YOU’LL NEED FOR THE CHRISTMAS BREAD TOWERS WITH HAM AND CHEESE
- 1 Round cutter 2 3/8 in
- 1 Small bowl
- 1 Piping bag
- 1 Cutting board
PREPARATION: CHRISTMAS BREAD TOWERS WITH HAM AND CHEESE
The preparation of the CHRISTMAS BREAD TOWERS WITH HAM AND CHEESE is very easy and quick — you only need 15 minutes to have them ready to serve.
Place the sandwich bread slices on a cutting board and, using a 2 3/8 in round cutter, cut out as many circles as you need. If you don’t have a round cutter you can use a glass of the same diameter.
Do the same with the slices of ham (not too thin) and the cheese slices.
Spread the first bread round with a thin layer of spreadable cheese.
Place a ham circle and a cheese circle on top. Spread more cheese on the base of the second bread round and place it on the cheese so it doesn’t slip. Repeat the same process to finish your towers.
In a bowl, mix the cheese with the mascarpone and gorgonzola until you obtain a smooth cream.
Transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and decorate the surface of your towers.
Decorate with mint leaves and pink peppercorns. Alternatively, you can use red currants or pomegranate seeds. Transfer to the refrigerator until serving time.
If you prefer them warm and want them toasted and melty before decorating with mint and pepper, pass them in the oven for 5 minutes.
VARIATION
Vegetarian: Replace the ham with grilled vegetables such as zucchini or eggplant.
Gourmet: Use more refined ingredients, such as aged cheeses, smoked salmon or speck.
STORAGE
Temperature: Keep them well covered in the refrigerator, especially if they contain fresh cheeses or raw ham, at a temperature between 39°F and 45°F.
Consumption: Remove them from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving to let them come back to room temperature.
