Savory Ham and Mushroom Muffins

Here is an Italian recipe to prepare delicious savory ham and mushroom muffins. Ideal for an aperitif or a tasty starter.

Ingredients

• 250 g of type 00 flour
• 100 g of cooked ham cut into cubes
• 100 g of champignon mushrooms (or mushrooms of choice) cleaned and chopped
• 2 eggs
• 100 ml of milk
• 80 ml of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 packet of baking powder for savory preparations
• 50 g of grated cheese (Parmesan or pecorino)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Aromatic herbs to taste (e.g. parsley or thyme)
• Butter or parchment paper for the muffin cups

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F) and prepare a muffin pan by greasing the cavities with a bit of butter or lining them with parchment paper.

2. In a pan, cook the chopped mushrooms with a drizzle of oil until golden brown, then let them cool.

3. In a large bowl, sift the flour with the baking powder. Add the grated cheese and season with salt, pepper, and the chopped aromatic herbs.

4. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and oil.

5. Combine the liquid ingredients with the dry ones and mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined (avoid overmixing).

6. Add the ham cubes and the cooled mushrooms to the batter and fold in gently.

7. Fill the muffin cups about three-quarters full with the batter.

8. Bake the muffins in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and well risen.

9. Do the toothpick test: insert it into the center of a muffin, if it comes out clean, they are ready.

10. Let the muffins cool for a few minutes in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Fun Facts

Savory muffins are a variation of the more known sweet muffins and were created to satisfy the desire for a savory snack that was also practical to carry around like their sugary cousins. In Italy, these muffins are often enriched with local ingredients such as aged cheeses and quality cured meats, making each bite a treasure trove of local flavors.