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Ham and Cheese Crepe Nests

17/11/2023

Ham and cheese crepe nests are a delicious and refined dish, perfect as a starter or main course. Here is the recipe to prepare them:

Ingredients

  • For the crepes:
    • 100 g of flour
    • 2 eggs
    • 250 ml of milk
    • A pinch of salt
    • Butter as needed to grease the pan
  • For the filling:
    • 150 g of sliced cooked ham
    • 150 g of soft cheese (such as fontina or scamorza)
    • Béchamel sauce (200 ml of milk, 2 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of butter, salt, nutmeg)
    • Grated Parmesan cheese as needed
    • Salt and pepper as needed

Preparation

  1. Begin by preparing the crepes. In a bowl, sift the flour and add the eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt. Whisk together to avoid lumps and create a smooth batter. Let it rest for about 30 minutes.
  2. Heat a non-stick pan and grease it with a little butter. Pour in a ladle of the batter and spread it evenly to create thin crepes. Cook for about a minute or until the edges start to peel off, then flip the crepe and finish cooking. Repeat the process until the batter is finished.
  3. In the meantime, prepare the béchamel sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, adding the flour and mixing well. Then gradually add the hot milk, continuing to stir. When the sauce thickens, add salt and nutmeg to taste.
  4. Take a crepe, lay a slice of ham and some cheese cut into small pieces on top, then roll it up. Do this for all the crepes.
  5. Cut each rolled crepe into three or four pieces to form “nests”. Arrange these nests in a previously buttered baking dish, with the cut side facing up.
  6. Pour the béchamel sauce over the nests and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 15-20 minutes or until golden.
  8. Serve the ham and cheese crepe nests hot.

Curiosity

Crepe nests are a variant of French crêpes and are very versatile. In this recipe, ham and cheese perfectly melt together with the softness of the crepe and the creaminess of the béchamel sauce. In Italy, crepes are often used as a base for baked cannelloni or lasagna, showcasing their incredible adaptability in the kitchen.