Meat rolls filled with cooked ham and cheese

Meat rolls stuffed with cooked ham and cheese are a delicious and versatile dish. Here’s how to prepare them in the Italian way:

Ingredients

• Thin slices of veal or beef, about 8 (you could also use chicken if you prefer)
• 8 slices of cooked ham
• 8 slices of cheese (fontina, scamorza, mozzarella, or another cheese that melts well)
• Flour, as needed
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• White wine, about 1/2 glass
• Meat or vegetable broth, as needed
• Garlic, 1 clove (optional)
• Sage, a few leaves (optional)

Preparation

1. Lay out the meat slices and gently pound them with a meat mallet to make them even thinner and more tender.
2. Season each slice on one side with salt and pepper and place a slice of cooked ham and a piece of cheese on top, making sure they don’t extend beyond the edges of the meat.
3. Roll up the meat slices into rolls, and secure them with a toothpick or kitchen twine to maintain their shape during cooking.
4. Dust the rolls in flour, shaking off the excess.
5. Heat a drizzle of oil in a pan with the garlic and sage (if you wish to add a touch of aroma), and then brown the rolls on all sides until evenly golden.
6. Deglaze with white wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
7. Add a ladle of broth and continue cooking over low heat with the lid on, turning the rolls occasionally and adding more broth if necessary, until the meat is tender and the cheese inside has melted, about 15-20 minutes.
8. Make sure the rolls are cooked to the right point, then adjust with salt and pepper if needed.

The rolls can be customized as you like: some add a bit of sautéed spinach or grilled eggplant strips to the ham and cheese slices for a touch of vegetables.

A good, slightly fruity red wine could be the ideal companion for this dish, like a Chianti or Valpolicella, whose notes will beautifully complement the savoriness of the rolls. Enjoy your meal!