Ham and Cheese Crespelle Nests
17/11/2023The crespelle nests with ham and cheese are a delicious and refined dish, perfect as an appetizer or main course. Here is the recipe to prepare them:
Ingredients
- For the crespelle:
- 100 g flour
- 2 eggs
- 250 ml milk
- A pinch of salt
- Butter as needed to grease the pan
- For the filling:
- 150 g sliced cooked ham
- 150 g soft cheese (such as fontina or scamorza)
- Béchamel (200 ml milk, 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons butter, salt, nutmeg)
- Grated Parmesan as needed
- Salt and pepper as needed
Preparation
- Start by preparing the crespelle. In a bowl, sift the flour and add the eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt. Whisk to avoid lumps and obtain a smooth batter. Let rest for about 30 minutes.
- Heat a non-stick pan and grease it with a little butter. Pour a ladle of batter and spread it evenly to create thin crespelle. Cook for about one minute or until the edges start to lift, then flip the crespella and finish cooking. Repeat until the batter is used up.
- Meanwhile, prepare the béchamel by melting the butter in a saucepan, adding the flour and stirring well. Gradually add the warm milk, continuing to stir. When the sauce thickens, add salt and nutmeg to taste.
- Take a crespella, place a slice of ham and some cheese cut into small pieces on top, then roll it up. Repeat with all the crespelle.
- Cut each rolled crespella into three or four pieces to form “nests”. Arrange these nests in a buttered baking dish with the cut side facing up.
- Pour the béchamel over the nests and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 15-20 minutes or until golden.
- Serve the ham and cheese crespelle nests hot.
Trivia
Crespelle are a variant of French crêpes and are very versatile. In this recipe, the ham and cheese melt perfectly with the softness of the crespella and the creaminess of the béchamel. In Italy, crespelle are often used as a base for baked cannelloni or lasagna, demonstrating their incredible adaptability in the kitchen.