A delicate cheese sheet, egg spread, ham, fresh bell pepper, and a more flavorful salami create a colorful roll that is easy to slice after chilling. It’s perfect for parties, holidays, family gatherings, as well as Christmas or New Year’s entertaining.
Preparation is surprisingly simple and can be managed even by beginners. Just briefly melt the cheese slices together in the oven, spread with filling, and roll up tightly. You can vary the layers to your taste and use other vegetables, ham salami, or a different cheese spread as well.
What You Will Need
- about 12 slices of cheese,
- egg spread,
- slices of ham,
- fresh bell pepper,
- Vysočina or other salami.
The original recipe, apart from the number of cheese slices, does not specify exact amounts, so adjust the quantities to the size of your cheese sheet and the amount of filling you want.
Step-by-Step Preparation:
1. Preparing the Cheese Base: Line a baking tray with baking paper. Arrange the cheese slices so their edges slightly overlap, allowing them to fuse together when heated. For one roll, a layout of 4 × 3 slices (12 total) works well.
2. Briefly Heating the Cheese: Place the tray in an oven preheated to 180°C and heat the cheese for no more than 3 minutes. The goal is not to melt it completely, but just to join the slices into one continuous base, so watch the process carefully.
3. Cooling and Smoothing: Remove the fused cheese sheet from the oven and let it cool briefly so it’s easy to handle. Then gently roll over it with a rolling pin to make it more even and firm.
4. Spreading the Filling: Evenly spread the egg spread over the prepared cheese base. Use a rather thin layer so the filling doesn’t ooze out when rolling, and the finished roll keeps its shape.
5. Layering the Filling: Lay slices of ham, strips of fresh bell pepper, and pieces of Vysočina or other salami on top of the spread. Distribute the filling evenly so each slice is colorful and the roll can be tightly rolled up.
6. Rolling Up: Carefully but tightly roll up the filled cheese sheet. Wrap the finished roll in plastic wrap or foil so it keeps its shape during chilling and the layers bind together.
7. Chilling: Place the wrapped roll in the fridge and let it firm up for at least several hours, ideally overnight. Proper chilling is important for firmness and makes slicing easier.
8. Serving: Before serving, unwrap the roll and slice it with a sharp knife. Cut the slices just before serving so they stay neat. Serve the roll as part of a festive platter or cold buffet.
How to Prevent the Cheese Sheet from Melting Too Much
Keep the cheese in the oven at 180°C for only a short time, no more than 3 minutes. The slices should fuse at the overlapping edges, but the cheese should not start to run. Check the tray regularly while heating.
Let the base cool briefly before spreading the filling. Gently rolling over it with a rolling pin helps even out the surface without breaking the joined edges of the slices.
How to Vary the Filling
You can replace the egg spread with another cheese spread. Besides ham, bell pepper, and Vysočina, you can also use ham salami or other vegetables according to your taste and what’s available.
Don’t use too thick a layer of filling. A moderate amount makes rolling easier, helps the roll keep its shape, and prevents the spread from being squeezed out the sides.
How to Store the Cheese Roll
Store the roll in the fridge tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or foil, and use it ideally within 2 days. It slices best when well chilled, so keep it wrapped until you’re ready to serve.
