Il Cucinologo
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Chard and Leek Sformato with Stringy Mozzarella

17/11/2023

The chard and leek sformato with stringy mozzarella is a rich and tasty dish that can be served both as an appetizer and as a vegetarian main course. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 500 grams of chard
  • 2 medium leeks
  • 200 grams of mozzarella (preferably buffalo mozzarella for its meltiness)
  • 3 eggs
  • 100 grams of grated Parmesan
  • Breadcrumbs as needed
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • Extra virgin olive oil as needed
  • Grated nutmeg (optional)
  • Butter for greasing the pan

Preparation

  1. Start by cleaning the chard; separate the leaves from the stalks, rinse them and boil separately in salted water: first the stalks for about 10 minutes, then add the leaves and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.

  2. Clean the leeks by removing the greenest part, slice them into rounds and rinse under running water. Sauté the leeks in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt until tender.

  3. Drain the chard and leeks, squeezing them well to remove all excess water. Transfer the vegetables to a large bowl.

  4. Cut the mozzarella into cubes and add it to the vegetables.

  5. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl, add the Parmesan, a pinch of salt, pepper and grated nutmeg to taste.

  6. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and mozzarella, and stir until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.

  7. Prepare a mold (or several individual molds) by greasing it with butter and sprinkling the bottom and sides with breadcrumbs.

  8. Transfer the mixture into the mold, level with a spatula and sprinkle the surface with more breadcrumbs.

  9. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 30-40 minutes or until the surface of the sformato is golden and the mozzarella inside is nicely stringy.

  10. Let it cool slightly for a few minutes before unmolding and serve.

Trivia

The sformato is a versatile dish that allows for numerous variations; for example, you could add a touch of color and flavor with sun-dried tomatoes or use other seasonal vegetables to your liking. In addition, the use of buffalo mozzarella provides a texture and flavor that pair particularly well with the sweetness of the leeks.

Remember to let the sformato rest for a few minutes before unmolding it, so as to prevent it from breaking. Enjoy your meal!