Savory Clafoutis

17/11/2023

The clafoutis, which is traditionally a French dessert made with cherries immersed in a batter, can be easily reinterpreted in a savory key for a surprising and delicious dish. Let’s see how to prepare a savory version of clafoutis, perfect as an appetizer or a light main course.

Ingredients

300 g of assorted vegetables (for example, zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and spinach)
100 g of grated cheese (such as emmental, gruyère, or pecorino for an Italian touch)
4 large eggs
150 ml of milk
100 ml of cooking cream
100 g of flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Butter for greasing the baking dish
Fresh aromatic herbs (basil, thyme, rosemary) to taste

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 180 °C and butter a medium-sized baking dish.
Wash and cut the vegetables into pieces or thin slices. If you’re using vegetables that require longer cooking times, you can pre-cook them slightly in a pan or steam them.
Arrange the vegetables evenly on the base of the buttered baking dish.
In a bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the milk and cooking cream and mix well.
Gradually incorporate the sieved flour, continuing to mix to avoid lumps.
Add the grated cheese to the batter and mix until you have a smooth mixture.
Pour the batter over the vegetables in the baking dish, making sure it spreads evenly.
Sprinkle the chopped aromatic herbs over the surface of the clafoutis.
Bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until the surface of the clafoutis is golden and the batter is well-cooked in the center.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Curiosity

The savory clafoutis lends itself to numerous variations: you can use seasonal vegetables or add cubes of cooked ham or speck for a more intense flavor. Moreover, this dish is a fantastic blank canvas for experimenting with different herbs and seasonings, or for adding that Italian touch by including pesto or diced buffalo mozzarella for a variation inspired by the Boot Country. Enjoy your meal!