Sformato with Ham and Cheese

A sformato is similar to a soufflé, but is not as airy, would could also say Sformato is the Italian term for a kind of molded custard. This one is with ham and cheese but the possibilities are endless, happy cooking!

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 pounds (800 g) potatoes
• 8 ounces (200 g) fresh Parmigiano (fresh Parmigiano is mild and firm, but not crumbly; you could substitute a mild fontina or even a mild cheddar for it)
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 pound (100 g) lean ham, in a single slice
• 2/3 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper

Method

1. Wash the potatoes and boil them until done in salted water. Dice the ham.
   
2. Butter a high-sided 7-inch pot, dust it with bread crumbs, and turn it over to let the excess fall free. When the potatoes are done peel them and let them cool, then cut them into finger-thick slices. Melt all but a tablespoon of the butter over a very low flame. Finely slice the cheese.
3. When everything is ready, put a layer of potatoes in the bottom of the pot, overlapping them slightly. Brush them with melted butter, then cover them with some of the cheese and some of the ham, and continue until all is used up, finishing with a potato layer. Pour the milk over all and dot the top of the sformato with the remaining butter.
4. Bake the sformato in a preheated 360 F (180 C) oven for about a half hour, or until the top is nicely browned.
5. Unmold it and serve it at once.
   

(Source: italianfood.about.com)

(Image source: slowtrav.com)