Tree trunk - an innovative and colorful recipe, perfect for impressing guests at a party or adding a touch of originality to your festive table! This appetizer recipe is not only a feast for the eyes but also a taste delicacy that combines various textures and flavors. Below, I will present the necessary steps to create this delicious 'tree,' sharing useful tips, variations, and nutritional information.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooling time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 8-10
Ingredients:
- 1 sliced bread (preferably white or rye)
- 4-5 eggs
- 150 g of ham (you can also use turkey ham for a lighter version)
- 1 bunch of lettuce
- 3 medium tomatoes
- 1 small onion
- Bean puree (if you don’t have ready-made puree, you can boil white or black beans)
- 2 packs of Philadelphia cheese (or a similar creamy cheese)
- 150 g of sour cream (make sure it's thicker for a good texture)
- 10-15 black olives (for decoration)
- Food coloring (3 bottles: yellow, blue, and green, 3-4 drops of each)
- Arugula (for decoration)
Preparation:
1. Preparing the eggs: Start by boiling the eggs. Place them in a pot with cold water and let them boil for about 10-12 minutes. After boiling, drain the water and place the eggs in cold water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, peel them and chop them very finely.
2. Preparing the bean puree: If you chose to prepare the bean puree at home, boil the beans in salted water. When soft, drain and blend until smooth. If you have ready-made puree, skip this step.
3. Preparing the salad: Thinly slice the lettuce, dice the tomatoes into small cubes, and finely chop the onion. Mix all these ingredients in a bowl, add a tablespoon of olive oil and salt to taste. This fresh salad will add a crunchy note to your recipe.
4. Creating the colored pastes: Take a bowl and mix the chopped eggs with the sour cream. Ensure the sour cream is thick enough to achieve a consistent paste. Add 3-4 drops of yellow food coloring to obtain a vibrant paste.
5. Preparing the cheese mixture: In another bowl, mix the Philadelphia cheese with the chopped boiled egg whites. Add 3-4 drops of blue food coloring and mix well. In another bowl, repeat the process with the Philadelphia cheese, adding green food coloring.
6. Assembling the tree trunk: On a rectangular plate, start layering the bread. Spread the first layer of bread with bean puree. Then, add a second layer of bread which you will spread with the yellow egg and sour cream paste.
7. Add the salad: Continue with a layer of fresh salad, followed by another layer of bread. On this layer, spread the blue cheese mixture. Finish with the last layer of bread, covering everything with the green-colored Philadelphia cheese.
8. Decoration: Once you have finished assembling the 'tree,' use the green Philadelphia cheese to evenly coat the entire surface. Garnish with black olives and arugula, creating a special appearance.
9. Cooling: Cover the 'tree' with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour to firm up and allow the flavors to blend.
Serving suggestion: Cut into thin slices, seasoning each portion with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper. This appetizer pairs perfectly with a glass of white wine or fresh lemonade!
Nutritional information: This recipe is a good source of protein due to the eggs and cheese, while the salad adds essential vitamins. Each serving contains approximately 300-350 calories, depending on the serving size and exact ingredients used.
Possible variations: You can experiment with different types of cheese or add vegetables like peppers or cucumbers to the salad for a texture change. Additionally, replacing the ham with smoked salmon can provide a unique flavor.
Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use other types of bread? Yes, you can use whole grain bread or even rolls, depending on your preferences.
- Is food coloring necessary? Although the coloring is not essential, it adds a festive and attractive look to the dish.
- What can I use instead of Philadelphia cheese? You can opt for ricotta or mascarpone cheese, which will provide a similar creamy texture.
I encourage you to try this original tree trunk recipe and add your personal touch by including ingredients that reflect your tastes. Enjoy your meal!
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooling time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 8-10
Ingredients:
- 1 sliced bread (preferably white or rye)
- 4-5 eggs
- 150 g of ham (you can also use turkey ham for a lighter version)
- 1 bunch of lettuce
- 3 medium tomatoes
- 1 small onion
- Bean puree (if you don’t have ready-made puree, you can boil white or black beans)
- 2 packs of Philadelphia cheese (or a similar creamy cheese)
- 150 g of sour cream (make sure it's thicker for a good texture)
- 10-15 black olives (for decoration)
- Food coloring (3 bottles: yellow, blue, and green, 3-4 drops of each)
- Arugula (for decoration)
Preparation:
1. Preparing the eggs: Start by boiling the eggs. Place them in a pot with cold water and let them boil for about 10-12 minutes. After boiling, drain the water and place the eggs in cold water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, peel them and chop them very finely.
2. Preparing the bean puree: If you chose to prepare the bean puree at home, boil the beans in salted water. When soft, drain and blend until smooth. If you have ready-made puree, skip this step.
3. Preparing the salad: Thinly slice the lettuce, dice the tomatoes into small cubes, and finely chop the onion. Mix all these ingredients in a bowl, add a tablespoon of olive oil and salt to taste. This fresh salad will add a crunchy note to your recipe.
4. Creating the colored pastes: Take a bowl and mix the chopped eggs with the sour cream. Ensure the sour cream is thick enough to achieve a consistent paste. Add 3-4 drops of yellow food coloring to obtain a vibrant paste.
5. Preparing the cheese mixture: In another bowl, mix the Philadelphia cheese with the chopped boiled egg whites. Add 3-4 drops of blue food coloring and mix well. In another bowl, repeat the process with the Philadelphia cheese, adding green food coloring.
6. Assembling the tree trunk: On a rectangular plate, start layering the bread. Spread the first layer of bread with bean puree. Then, add a second layer of bread which you will spread with the yellow egg and sour cream paste.
7. Add the salad: Continue with a layer of fresh salad, followed by another layer of bread. On this layer, spread the blue cheese mixture. Finish with the last layer of bread, covering everything with the green-colored Philadelphia cheese.
8. Decoration: Once you have finished assembling the 'tree,' use the green Philadelphia cheese to evenly coat the entire surface. Garnish with black olives and arugula, creating a special appearance.
9. Cooling: Cover the 'tree' with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour to firm up and allow the flavors to blend.
Serving suggestion: Cut into thin slices, seasoning each portion with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper. This appetizer pairs perfectly with a glass of white wine or fresh lemonade!
Nutritional information: This recipe is a good source of protein due to the eggs and cheese, while the salad adds essential vitamins. Each serving contains approximately 300-350 calories, depending on the serving size and exact ingredients used.
Possible variations: You can experiment with different types of cheese or add vegetables like peppers or cucumbers to the salad for a texture change. Additionally, replacing the ham with smoked salmon can provide a unique flavor.
Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use other types of bread? Yes, you can use whole grain bread or even rolls, depending on your preferences.
- Is food coloring necessary? Although the coloring is not essential, it adds a festive and attractive look to the dish.
- What can I use instead of Philadelphia cheese? You can opt for ricotta or mascarpone cheese, which will provide a similar creamy texture.
I encourage you to try this original tree trunk recipe and add your personal touch by including ingredients that reflect your tastes. Enjoy your meal!