Sometimes the ingredients in a recipe take the finished product to a new level.  Typically a Stromboli uses mozzarella cheese. Substituting Saxon Creamery’s distinct Snowfields cheese makes a flavorful, memorable appetizer or light lunch.

Saxon Homestead Farm focuses on growing lush grass pastures for their cows to graze. A variety of grasses and legumes in the fields lead to a milk rich in nutrients and flavor. The flavors the grasses impart in the milk are an essential element in developing each of the creamery’s cheeses.

Snowfields’ distinct flavor comes from the fact that during late fall and early winter, the Saxon herd produces a unique milk, high in protein and cream. This cheese has rich, creamy texture with flavors of sweet milk and Parmesan notes. Sometimes you may even get a little crunch from the lactic acid crystals that form during the aging process.  It’s then aged for 6 months to add further flavor development.

Ingredients
Makes about 40 appetizers

  • 1 lb pizza dough, thawed if frozen
  • 8 oz thinly sliced ham
  • 6 oz Saxon Creamery Snowfields cheddar, shredded, about 1-1/2 c
  • tomato, mustard or horseradish sauce for serving, optional

Directions
Preheat oven to 400.   Divide dough in half, set one ball aside on lightly floured board.  Roll out remaining dough on a lightly floured surface.  Roll and press until the dough is about 14-inches long by 6-inches deep.

Arrange about four ham slices evenly over dough to within 1/2-inch of edges.  Sprinkle evenly with half the cheese.  Roll lengthwise, tuck ends under and tightly pinch seam on bottom of the log to keep cheese from leaking out of the rollup.   Place seam side down on a parchment lined baking sheet, leaving room for the second log.  (The Stromboli won’t rise too much.)

Repeat process with remaining dough and fillings.

Bake for 35 minutes until dough is golden brown.  Let stand for a few minutes before slicing.  Serve with dipping sauce, if desired.

To make ahead refrigerate until preheat oven and let sit at room temperature.  Thaw frozen logs on a cookie sheet, thaw in fridge overnight.

Recipe courtesy of Saxon Creamery.