Cheese, ham, and wild garlic roll

Fluffy Bread with Cheese, Ham, and Wild Garlic: A Treat for Breakfast

Who doesn’t love a fluffy, aromatic bread that fills your home with enticing scents? This recipe for bread with cheese, ham, and wild garlic is perfect for starting your day with a delicious breakfast. With a soft texture and a sweet-salty taste, this bread pairs perfectly with a glass of milk, yogurt, or can be enjoyed on its own.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 8

A Brief History

Bread is a traditional dish found in many cultures, often associated with festive occasions or family gatherings. This type of braided bread is often filled with various ingredients, reflecting the local culinary richness. In our recipe, we combined fresh cheese with smoked ham and wild garlic, an aromatic plant commonly used in spring cuisine.

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 220 ml milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 500 g flour
- 1 packet dry yeast

For the filling:
- 200 g fresh cheese
- 2 eggs
- 50 g wild garlic paste
- 100 g grated cheese
- 200 g smoked ham (or homemade ham)

For the topping:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Sesame seeds

Preparation

Step 1: Preparing the Dough
1. Using the Bread Machine: Start by adding the ingredients to the bread machine in the following order: milk, salt, sugar, oil, flour, and finally, yeast. Make sure the yeast does not come into direct contact with the salt, as the latter can inhibit the yeast's activity.
2. Set the machine to the kneading and rising program. This will take about 1 hour.

Step 2: Preparing the Filling
1. Slicing the Ham: Meanwhile, slice the ham into thin pieces, being careful not to make them too thick to integrate well into the bread.
2. Filling Mixture: In a bowl, beat the 2 eggs and add the fresh cheese, wild garlic paste, and grated cheese. Mix well until you achieve a homogeneous composition.

Step 3: Shaping the Bread
1. Rolling Out the Dough: Once the dough has risen, remove it from the machine and roll it out on a floured surface. Use a rolling pin to achieve a sheet about 1 cm thick.
2. Adding the Filling: Evenly sprinkle half of the grated cheese over the dough, then place the slices of ham and spread the cheese mixture on top. Don’t forget to save the rest of the cheese for later!
3. Folding the Dough: Fold the dough into your desired shapes. You can opt for a classic design or experiment. After folding, turn the bread with the folded side down and use kitchen scissors to pinch it here and there, creating an interesting texture.

Step 4: Let the Bread Rise and Bake
1. Placing in the Pan: Prepare a round pan lined with parchment paper (or aluminum foil if you don't have enough paper). Place the bread in the pan and let it rise for 20-25 minutes, covered with a damp towel.
2. Preparing for the Oven: In a bowl, beat an egg with a tablespoon of milk and brush the bread. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for an extra crunch.
3. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and bake the bread for about 45 minutes, or until it becomes golden and fluffy.

Serving and Suggestions
After removing it from the oven, let the bread cool slightly on a wire rack. Cut it into slices and enjoy it warm or at room temperature. It is wonderful alongside a glass of fresh milk or yogurt, but can also be served with a green salad for a light lunch.

Calories and Nutritional Benefits
This recipe is a delicious choice for breakfast, with a moderate calorie content. Each serving contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used. Cheese and eggs provide essential proteins, while wild garlic adds a boost of vitamins and minerals, having antioxidant properties.

Possible Variations
If you want to experiment, you can replace the ham with chicken or even vegetables for a vegetarian version. Instead of wild garlic, you can use spinach or dill to change the flavor. Each variation will bring a new taste and experience to your dish.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use whole wheat flour? Yes, you can replace part of the white flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option.
2. What can I use instead of the bread machine? You can knead the dough by hand using a bowl and a rolling pin. It will require more effort, but the result will be just as good.
3. Can it be frozen? Yes, the bread can be frozen. Make sure it is completely cooled before wrapping it in cling film and placing it in the freezer.

In conclusion, this bread with cheese, ham, and wild garlic is a simple yet impressive recipe that will bring joy to your breakfast table. Experiment with the ingredients and customize it to your tastes. Enjoy!