Un cake déjà vu – Cake traditionnel au gruyère, olives et jambon

Savory cakes are very popular in France, everyone has its own version and makes them for appetizers with drinks when you have a guests over. You cut them in small bites and pass them along with drinks. Usually, I don’t like to post too many traditional French or Italian dishes, I somehow love to explore new ideas, flavors and shapes but once in a while, it makes me feel closer to home like with this cake salé. You can flavor it with what you like, such as feta, mint and zucchini, or sundried tomatoes and thyme, or just use your creativity. You only need the basic proportions of flour, olive oil or butter, and eggs, then the rest is up to you.

Nothing too fancy or original in this post, just maybe the most traditional cake salé that every French person who cooks and entertains, knows how to make, it’s a great one, always appreciated and quite delicious combining three main ingredients. Usually savory cakes contain butter, but I like to use olive oil, it gives it a really fruity and fragrant flavor.

Savory cakes are another one of those things I don’t make very often, I tried a few with shrimps, and other ingredients but as far as entertaining menu is concerned, I tend to make other types of snacks or canapés. This is a great item when you have guests pour l’apéro, a lot quicker to make than a savory tart or quiche. Tonight I have a little time to cook, so cake is on the menu among other little bites. It’s healthier than serving chips and other pre-packed junk food. Even though I love thick and salty potato chips! One of those items I cannot have in the house, or I will just not stop thinking about them until I ate them all.

Ingredients for about 6 people

• 6.34 oz (or 180 g) unbleached flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 3 fl oz (or 90 ml) olive oil
• 3.38 oz (or 100 ml) milk
• 7 oz (or 200 g) ham, cut in cubes
• 5.64 oz (or 160 g) gruyère cheese or cantal grated
• 3.5 oz (or 100 g) green olives, roughly chopped
• a pinch of salt and pepper

Preparation

In a mixing container, mix flour and baking powder. In another container, mix eggs, milk, olive oil. Mix well and add to the four/baking powder mixture. Add salt and pepper. Add ham, gruyère and olives. Mix carefully.

Bake in a non-stick loaf pan in a 370F pre-heated oven for about 45 minutes.

Appetizers, Breads