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Snack & Appetizers

Parmesan, Speck and Apple Baskets – An Authentic Italian Appetizer

Parmesan, Speck and Apple Baskets with Cream Cheese are a delightful and flavorful appetizer that will win everyone over from the very first bite. A mouthwatering starter perfect for any occasion.
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Parmesan, Speck and Apple Baskets – An Authentic Italian Appetizer
  • Difficulty Moderate
  • Prep 20 minutes
  • Cook 10 minutes
  • Servings 6-8 people (as an appetizer)

Parmesan Baskets with Speck, Apples and Cream Cheese are an elegant, quick appetizer with an irresistible flavor. These crispy baskets, filled with a delicious mix of speck and apples, combine the savory taste of cheese and cured meat with the freshness and sweetness of fruit. Perfect for an aperitif or to impress your guests with a creative touch, these Grated Cheese Baskets are very easy to prepare yet have a great visual impact.

Parmigiano Reggiano (or Grana Padano, according to your preference) with its grainy texture and intense flavor, forms the base of the baskets. Speck (a type of smoked prosciutto from Northern Italy – if unavailable, you can substitute with smoked prosciutto or regular prosciutto), thinly sliced, adds a smoky and salty touch. The cream cheese with chives provides creaminess, while fresh apples and walnuts complete the dish with natural sweetness and a satisfying crunch.

This recipe is also very versatile, allowing you to customize the ingredients according to your preferences. For example, you can replace speck with prosciutto or use different varieties of cream cheese. Moreover, the preparation is relatively quick and simple, making it perfect for those short on time or wanting to prepare ahead for important meals or during holidays.

Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. To prepare the Parmesan baskets, start by creating the cheese baskets: heat a non-stick pan and, using a 8-10 cm (3-4 inch) cookie cutter, form a disc of grated Parmesan cheese inside the pan. Immediately remove the cookie cutter and let the cheese melt and start to turn golden brown.

    Parmesan Cheese Baskets
    Parmesan Cheese Baskets 1

  2. Using a spatula, flip the cheese wafer to the other side and let it brown for a few seconds. Once ready, turn a muffin tin upside down and place the still-hot wafer on top, gently molding it (be careful, it’s very hot) to form a basket shape. You can also use another muffin mold to press it down and shape it.

    Parmesan Baskets 2
    Parmesan Cheese Baskets 3

  3. Once all the baskets are prepared, focus on the filling. Mix the cream cheese with some chives and put it in a piping bag. Cut the apples into small cubes and chop the walnuts into pieces.

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  4. Assemble the baskets: fill each Grana Padano basket with a spoonful of cream cheese, some apple slices, crispy speck (smoked prosciutto) strips, and a sprinkle of toasted walnuts.

    Parmesan And Speck Baskets Preparation 2
    Parmesan And Speck Baskets Preparation 3

  5. Your Parmesan Baskets with Speck, Apples, and Walnuts are ready to be served!

    Parmesan Baskets Speck Apple Walnut Recipe 1

Alternatives

If you prefer, you can substitute speck with thinly sliced prosciutto crudo (raw ham). Similarly, you can experiment with different cheese varieties, including stracciatella di burrata (the creamy center of burrata cheese). If Grana Padano is not available, you can use aged Parmigiano Reggiano as a substitute.

Tips

For a sweeter variation, you can add a little honey to the cream cheese. You can also add or customize other ingredients such as raisins or dried figs for a greater variety of flavors. This is a classic Italian appetizer that combines the salty crunchiness of aged cheese with creamy elements.

Storage

The Grana Padano baskets are best when consumed fresh, but you can prepare the ingredients separately and assemble them just before serving. Store the Grana Padano cheese in a cool, dry place, keep the speck (smoked prosciutto) in the refrigerator, and store the cream cheese in the refrigerator until use.