The Savory Christmas Log is one of those appetizers you can prepare with zero effort but with great results! Every year during the Christmas holidays, I prepare a different one to bring to the table and share with friends and family.
The result is always the same: at first sight, the amazement at seeing it so beautiful, elegant, and refined. And then the taste, which wins you over at the first bite!
Today I offer you a really delicious filling, basil pesto, mortadella, and cheese with a decoration of pistachio crumbs to make it even more scenic!
If you want to impress your guests with a chic, easy, and quick but especially tasty appetizer, the savory Christmas log is what you need.
If you prefer a vegetable-based filling, try this version with vegetable medley and cooked ham.
Now let’s see the ingredients to prepare this amazing savory log but first, don’t miss my best Christmas appetizers:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 10-12 people
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas
Ingredients
- 5 slices Long Sandwich Bread
- 300 g Fresh Spreadable Cheese
- A few tablespoons Genovese Pesto
- 150 g Mortadella
- 2.8 oz Emmentaler (or other cheese of your choice)
- 2.5 oz Pistachio Crumbs
Tools
- Rolling Pin
- Plastic Wrap
Preparation
Place the sandwich slices next to each other, overlapping them by about 0.4 inches (see photo). Flatten them with a rolling pin to make them stick together and roll them up better.
Spread 100 grams of fresh cheese over the entire surface (set aside the rest for covering) and then a few tablespoons of Genovese pesto.
Fill with slices of mortadella and then with cheese slices (choose your favorite and use it sliced or grated).
Finally, sprinkle everything with half of the pistachio crumbs, leaving the other half aside.
Now gently roll the sandwich slices until you get a giant candy. Don’t worry if the slices tend to open during this phase, it’s normal, just try to press with your fingers to join the edges as much as possible.
You can choose to roll the slices from the longer side, as I did for this recipe, to get a narrower and longer roll, or from the shorter side for a wider and slightly shorter log.
Make a tight roll and wrap it in plastic wrap, also closing the ends, as if it were a candy.
After the time has elapsed, take your log and cut two pieces not too big, placing them next to the roll, trying to give it the shape of a trunk.
Then cut a slice not too thick and place it on top. Cover the entire log with the remaining fresh spreadable cheese.
Create the effect of veins on the entire surface with the tines of a fork. Decorate with the pistachio crumbs and place in the fridge or serve your beautiful and delicious savory Christmas log right away, ready to be enjoyed!! See you in the next recipe!
Article protected by copyright © – Gabriella Geroni © All Rights Reserved
Notes
What can I use instead of spreadable cheese?
We can use robiola, mascarpone, or ricotta, provided it is sieved to make it nice and creamy.
What other ingredients can I use besides mortadella?
One of my favorites is definitely cooked ham (roasted is even better!), but salami also works great. Or turkey breast or chicken breast. For an even more delicious version, you can make it with grilled zucchini and smoked salmon, a delight!
Any ideas for filling a vegetarian Christmas log?
We can fill the Christmas log with spreadable cheese, grilled zucchini, roasted tomatoes (or cooked over high heat in a pan for about 5 minutes), and stracciatella. Or always start with a base of spreadable cheese, possibly replaced with robiola or ricotta, provided it is sieved. Artichokes and mushrooms in oil and smoked scamorza. Also great with robiola, grilled eggplants, and smoked provola.
Or with a nice Russian salad based on vegetables, and in this case, you can use potatoes, zucchini, carrots, peas, peppers, to be boiled separately, cooled, and mixed with mayonnaise.Where and for how long can the sandwich log be stored?
Any preparation we decide to make with sandwiches (logs, cakes, pinwheels, etc.) should be stored in the refrigerator well-covered with plastic wrap, otherwise, they dry out. They can stay in the fridge for two to three days.
