Stuffed Bread Boats

Here’s how to prepare delicious stuffed bread boats, which can be a tantalizing appetizer or an inviting snack.

Ingredients

• 1 baguette or elongated rolls
• 200 g of fresh ricotta or other spreadable cheese
• 1 red bell pepper
• 100 g of cooked or raw ham, diced
• Arugula or baby spinach (for garnish)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Optional: olives, capers, aromatic herbs (basil, oregano)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Cut the baguette or elongated rolls in half lengthwise and hollow them out carefully to create a kind of “boat”.
3. In the meantime, dice the bell pepper and sauté in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper until they become soft.
4. In a bowl, mix the ricotta or spreadable cheese with the cooked bell pepper and add the diced cooked or raw ham to add more flavor and texture. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
5. Stuff each bread boat with the mixture of cheese, bell peppers, and ham.
6. Bake the boats for about 10 minutes or until the bread becomes slightly crispy and the filling is warmed through.
7. Serve the hot boats, garnished with arugula or baby spinach leaves to add freshness and a dash of color.

Trivia

Stuffed bread boats are a versatile idea that can be adapted based on the ingredients you have available or your preferences. For example, you could opt for a vegetarian filling with grilled zucchini, eggplants, and sundried tomatoes. Or, for a seafood version, use canned tuna, fresh onion, and maybe some capers to enhance the flavor. It’s a dish that encourages experimentation and customization.