Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare rice according to package directions.
- Combine rice, cheese, half & half and basil in a bowl. Place 1 prosciutto slice on cutting board; spread 1/2 cup rice mixture evenly over prosciutto, pressing slightly.
- Arrange a few pepper strips lengthwise down center over rice. Carefully roll into a log. Repeat with remaining prosciutto slices.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 15 minutes.
- Cut each roll crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Place on platter cut-side up. Serve at room temperature.
What is Prosciutto?
A staple in Irresistible Italian Cuisine, prosciutto translates to "ham" in Italian. A cooked ham is known as prosciutto cotto, whereas prosciutto crudo is a raw, cured ham. Prosciutto crudo has been around since pre-Roman times. In order to increase their supply of meat during the long winters, Italian villagers first started to dry-age hog legs. The art of creating prosciutto has evolved over the years. Italy and the rest of the globe now honor the art.
Prosciutto: How is it Made?
High-quality pork legs are used to make prosciutto. After being salted, the flesh is allowed to rest for a few weeks. It is safe for us to eat the meat "raw" during this period because the salt takes out the blood and moisture, preventing bacteria from entering the meat. The flavors are also intensified when the meat is salted.
Following the salting procedure, the pork legs are hand-seasoned (typically using a family recipe kept secret) and allowed to dry-age for 14 to 36 months at a controlled temperature. The three elements of time, air, and salt combine to give prosciutto its sweet, delicate flavor.
What Does it Taste Like?
It is a tasty, subtly sweet and salty food. Each slice often includes fat streaks and ranges in hue from salmon pink to brownish-red. Black pepper, garlic, juniper, and rosemary are among the herbs and spices that some prosciutto variants are seasoned with, giving it a more distinctive, fragrant flavor. The flavor of prosciutto will become more nuanced as it ages.
What is the Best Way to Eat Prosciutto?
We advise presenting prosciutto in paper-thin slices for the best flavor. Take a piece and just place it in your mouth, allowing the fat to melt on your tongue. Your palette will be coated by this creamy texture as you inhale the sweet-salty flavor of the thinner prosciutto slices.
Prosciutto can be served alone or with wine, bread, cheese, fruit, and vegetables. It is best to use younger prosciutto when preparing foods like pizza and pasta. For eating on your own, save the longer-aged types, which have a richer, more nuanced flavor.
If you enjoy the flavor try our Summer Lobster and Corn Risotto Recipe.
Need Some Dinner Inspiration?
Try our shrimp and rice recipe tonight!
