Savory cake

Hearty loaf with cheese and leftover cold cuts

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8

Who doesn't remember festive meals filled with delicacies? Often, various foods remain in the fridge, and we, with hearts full of nostalgia, wish to make use of them. Today I propose a simple and delicious recipe for a hearty loaf that transforms leftovers from holiday meals into a dish that the whole family will love. This recipe is not only an ingenious way to avoid food waste but also an opportunity to express your creativity in the kitchen!

Necessary ingredients:

- 300 g of telemea or feta (salty cheese)
- 300 g of bologna, salami, ham, or other available cold cuts (what's left in the fridge)
- 4 hard-boiled eggs (ideally leftovers from Easter dinner)
- 4 raw eggs
- 150 g grated cheese
- 2 tablespoons of sour cream
- 4 tablespoons of flour
- 1 bell pepper, diced, for a pop of color
- 100 g of pitted green or black olives, chopped
- Pepper, salt, to taste

Step by step for a perfect loaf:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by separating the egg whites from the yolks. This step is essential for achieving a fluffy texture in the loaf. Beat the yolks in a large bowl until they become a smooth paste.

2. Adding the ingredients: To the yolk mixture, add the cheese (feta or telemea), sour cream, and diced cold cuts. These will provide an intense flavor and a pleasant texture to the loaf. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.

3. Beating the egg whites: In another bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy. This step is crucial as it will add air and volume to the mixture. Well-beaten egg whites will make the loaf fluffier.

4. Combining the mixtures: Gently fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture using a spatula. Do this with an up-and-down motion to avoid losing air from the egg whites. Then add the chopped olives, flour, diced bell pepper, and pepper. Taste the mixture and add salt if necessary, but be careful as the cheese and cold cuts may already be salty.

5. Preparing the baking pan: Line a loaf pan with baking paper so that it is easy to remove the loaf after baking. Pour half of the mixture into the pan.

6. Adding the boiled eggs: Place the boiled eggs, whole or halved, on top of the mixture. These will add a pleasant surprise in the middle of the loaf.

7. Finalizing the mixture: Pour the remaining mixture over the boiled eggs and level it well. Finally, sprinkle the grated cheese on top, which will melt and form a delicious crust.

8. Baking: Preheat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius and bake the loaf for 30 minutes, or until it turns golden and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. It is important not to open the oven door in the first 20 minutes to avoid affecting the baking process.

9. Cooling and serving: Once the loaf is ready, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a rack to cool completely. This loaf is delicious both warm and cold, ideal for lunches, snacks, or even parties.

Tips and practical advice:

- Variations: Feel free to experiment with the ingredients! You can add vegetables like zucchini, grated carrot, or even fresh dill for a more aromatic flavor. Replace the cold cuts with chicken or turkey for a lighter option.
- Serving: This loaf pairs perfectly with a fresh green salad and a garlic yogurt sauce. Additionally, a cup of tea or a light white wine will complete the meal perfectly.
- Calories and nutritional benefits: Each serving of the loaf contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used. It is a good source of protein due to the eggs and cheese, as well as calcium.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes, you can replace telemea or feta with cottage cheese or even ricotta for a different texture.

2. What if I don't have olives?
Olives can be omitted or replaced with bell pepper or sweet corn for a different taste.

3. How can I store the loaf?
Keep the loaf in the fridge, wrapped in plastic wrap, for 3-4 days. It can be reheated in the oven to regain its fluffy texture.

With this hearty loaf recipe, you will transform food leftovers into a delicious and comforting dish. I hope you enjoy every bite and share this recipe with your loved ones, so we can all help reduce food waste while savoring our meals! Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 300 g telemea, feta 300 g parizer, salami, ham, etc. (whatever is left in the fridge) 4 hard-boiled eggs (red ones from Easter) 4 raw eggs Grated cheese 2 tablespoons of sour cream 4 tablespoons of flour a little diced bell pepper for color olives pepper salt if needed

 Tags:  appetizer cake