Wild Herb Flan with Four Cheeses and Speck

I can guide you in preparing the wild herb flan with four cheeses and speck. This dish showcases the rustic and spring-like flavor of wild herbs, pairing it with the bold flavors of the cheeses and the crispy speck. It is a sophisticated twist on a classic Italian comfort food. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 400 g of wild herbs (such as spinach, chard, chicory)
• 150 g of sliced speck
• 200 ml of fresh cream
• 150 g of soft cheese (such as Taleggio or Fontina)
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 50 g of sweet Gorgonzola
• 50 g of Pecorino Romano
• 4 eggs
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Nutmeg to taste
• Butter for greasing the molds
• Breadcrumbs for sprinkling the molds

Preparation

1. Thoroughly clean the wild herbs, removing roots and damaged parts. Rinse under cold running water and dry.
2. Boil the herbs in salted boiling water for a few minutes, then drain well and squeeze out the excess water.
3. While the herbs are cooling, chop the speck and toast it in a non-stick pan until crispy. Set aside.
4. Grease the baking molds with butter and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
5. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with salt, pepper, and a grating of nutmeg.
6. Add to the bowl the cream, Parmesan, grated Pecorino, Gorgonzola cut into pieces, and the soft cheese cut into pieces. Mix to blend the ingredients.
7. Add the wild herbs and half of the crispy speck. Gently mix to avoid breaking the herbs too much.
8. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F).
9. Fill the prepared molds with the mixture and sprinkle the remaining crispy speck on top.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the flans are golden and firm to the touch.
11. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before unmolding.

Serve the wild herb flan with four cheeses and speck warm or lukewarm, possibly accompanied by a simple fresh salad for a pleasant contrast.

Curiosity

The flan is a versatile dish that can be prepared in advance and reheated when serving. In this recipe, the mix of Italian cheeses offers a balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, while the speck adds a smoky and crispy note. Each Italian region has its variety of edible wild greens, so feel free to explore them based on what’s available in your area.