Prosciutto Pockets

The prosciutto pockets are a delicious appetizer or a tempting second course. Here is the recipe to prepare them:

Ingredients

• 8 slices of puff pastry (rectangular or square)
• 8 slices of prosciutto
• 100g of soft cheese (like stracchino or robiola)
• 1 egg yolk for brushing
• Sesame or poppy seeds (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C (180 °C if convection).
2. Lay out the puff pastry slices and place a slice of prosciutto on each. If you like, you can add a sprinkle of pepper for more flavor.
3. Place a tablespoon of soft cheese in the center of each prosciutto slice.
4. Then, close the pastry by folding the corners towards the center so that the prosciutto and cheese are completely enclosed within the pastry. The result will be similar to a small bundle or a little pouch.
5. Brush the bundles with beaten egg yolk. This step will help them brown nicely during baking.
6. If desired, sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds on the bundles to add crunchiness.
7. Arrange the bundles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each.
8. Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the bundles are well browned and puffed up.
9. Remove the bundles from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Trivia

Prosciutto pockets are very versatile and can be modified according to personal tastes. For example, you can add some aromatic herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for a more intense flavor, or insert a slice of hard cheese for a contrast in textures. In certain regions of Italy, there are variations of this recipe that include typical local ingredients, turning simple pockets into a true regional specialty.