Savory Plum Cake with Ham and Cheese

The savory plum cake with ham and cheese is an ideal dish for a brunch or as an appetizer in a buffet. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

• 180 g of type 00 flour
• 100 g of cooked ham, cut into cubes
• 100 g of cheese of choice (for example, provolone, emmental, or fontina), cut into cubes
• 3 eggs
• 100 ml of milk
• 80 ml of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 sachet of baking powder for savory cakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Aromatic herbs to taste (for example, thyme, rosemary, basil), finely chopped
• Butter and flour for greasing and flouring the plum cake mold

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper until frothy.
3. Add milk and olive oil and mix well.
4. Incorporate the sifted flour and baking powder, mixing gently to avoid the formation of lumps.
5. Add the cooked ham and cheese cubes to the mixture, along with the chosen aromatic herbs.
6. Grease and flour a plum cake mold, then pour the batter into it.
7. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the plum cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let it cool for a few minutes before unmolding and serving.

Trivia

The term “plum cake” refers to the British tradition of sweet fruit cakes (plum means prune). However, in Italy, various savory versions have become popular, perfectly suitable as an alternative to classic rustic buffet or appetizer dishes. It is a versatile dish that could very well accommodate other filling variations such as zucchini, olives, or other types of cold cuts and cheeses, always following personal tastes and imagination.