Ham crostini

Ingredients

• 8 slicesstale bread
• 100 gPrague-style cooked ham
• 60 gPhiladelphia cream cheese
• A finger's depthmilk

Instructions

1. 1

   Blend the ham

   Blend the cooked ham until finely chopped.

2. 2

   Soften the cheese

   Soften the Philadelphia with a finger's depth of milk, then spread a thin layer over the toasted crostini.

3. 3

   Add the ham

   Top the crostini with the chopped ham.

What are ham crostini?

Crostini are small pieces of toasted bread served with a topping, a familiar format in Italian appetisers. This version pairs crisp bread with mild cream cheese and finely chopped cooked ham.

Stale bread is useful here because toasting brings back its crunch. The creamy layer helps the ham sit neatly on top.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 200 calories, 10g protein, 26g carbs, 6g fat.

The bread provides most of the carbohydrates, while the cream cheese contributes much of the fat and the ham provides most of the protein. Pair a serving with salad or vegetables for a more balanced plate.

Choosing the ingredients

Bread: Use slices that are sturdy enough to hold the toppings. Stale bread toasts well and is less likely to turn soggy straight away.

Ham: Prague-style cooked ham has a mild, savoury flavour that blends easily. Remove any thick rind or tough edges before blending.

Getting the texture right

Cream cheese: Mix in the milk a little at a time until the cheese is soft enough to spread. Keep the layer thin so the toast stays crisp.

Ham: Blend it finely, but stop before it becomes a paste. A loose, even chop gives the topping a pleasant texture.

Toast and assemble

Toast the bread until crisp and lightly golden, then let it cool briefly before adding the cheese. The recipe does not specify a toasting time, so check the slices as they cook.

Assemble shortly before serving. Once topped, the bread gradually softens as it absorbs moisture from the spread.

Serving suggestions

Serve the crostini as a starter or as part of an appetiser spread. Their savoury, creamy topping goes well with a crisp green salad or raw vegetables.

For a larger spread, offer them alongside other small bites and serve them soon after assembly for the best contrast between crisp bread and soft topping.

Recipe notes & tips

• Toast the bread until crisp so it can support the toppings.
• Let the toasted slices cool briefly before spreading on the cheese.
• Add the milk gradually to avoid making the cream cheese too runny.
• Blend the ham in short bursts and check its texture as you go.
• Spread the cheese in a thin, even layer.

Variations

• Fresh herbs: Mix finely chopped parsley or chives into the ham.
• Black pepper: Add a little freshly ground pepper to the cream cheese.
• Tangy finish: Top with a few drops of lemon juice just before serving.
• Extra crunch: Add a thin slice of crisp cucumber on each crostino.
• Garlic toast: Rub the toasted bread lightly with a cut garlic clove before adding the topping.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Soggy bread: Toast it until crisp and assemble close to serving time.
• Runny cheese: Add the milk gradually and stop once the cheese is spreadable.
• Ham paste: Blend in short bursts and stop when the ham is finely chopped.
• Heavy topping: Use a thin layer of cheese so the crostini remain easy to eat.
• Uneven toast: Keep the slices similar in thickness and check them as they toast.

How to store

Store leftover toppings separately in covered containers in the fridge and use within 2 days. Toasted bread is best kept separately at room temperature and topped just before serving; refresh it briefly in a toaster or oven if it has softened.

Frequently asked questions