Cheesy Meat Cannoli Recipe
Category: Main Courses | Serves: 8
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef | 650g |
| Cooked Ham (prosciutto cotto) | 100g |
| Edamer Cheese | 160g |
| Fresh Thyme | 5 sprigs |
| Fine Salt | To taste |
| Black Pepper | To taste |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | To taste |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Bread Crumbs | To taste |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Meat Mixture:
- Begin by placing the ground beef into a large mixing bowl. Strip the leaves from the thyme sprigs and add them to the beef mixture. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Drizzle in a little extra virgin olive oil to moisten the mixture and mix everything together until well combined.
-
Form the Cannoli Shells:
- Take a portion of the beef mixture, about 80 grams per cannoli, and place it on a clean surface lined with parchment paper. Use your fingers to flatten the meat mixture into a small square or rectangle.
-
Prepare the Filling:
- Slice the cooked ham into halves and the Edamer cheese into strips about 2 cm wide. Place one strip of cheese and a piece of ham in the center of each flattened beef square. Roll the beef mixture around the cheese and ham to form a cannoli-like shape, ensuring that the ends are tightly sealed.
-
Coat the Cannoli:
- Crack the eggs into a shallow bowl and beat them until well combined. Dip each meat cannoli into the beaten eggs, making sure it is fully coated.
-
Cook the Cannoli:
- Heat some extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the meat cannoli to the pan and sear them on all sides for a few minutes until they develop a nice golden crust. Be gentle when turning them using two spoons to avoid squishing or breaking the cannoli.
-
Bake the Cannoli:
- Transfer the seared cannoli to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the cannoli at 180°C (350°F) for about 15-20 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and the cheese is melting inside.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once cooked, remove the cannoli from the oven and place them on a serving platter. If desired, serve with a fresh salad, such as arugula (soncino), for a light and refreshing contrast to the rich, cheesy meat. Serve the cannoli hot and enjoy the melty, gooey cheese inside the crispy beef shell!
Tips:
- For an even richer flavor, you can experiment with different cheeses, like mozzarella or cheddar, depending on your preference.
- These cannoli are best served immediately while the cheese is still gooey and delicious.
