I say this is an Italian Potato and Ham Pie, because I found the recipe on an Italian website – and I used mozzarella and parmesan cheese – but apart from that, I don’t think there’s anything specifically Italian about it. What it is about, is a recipe that is so easy, and ultimately so delicious, that you just have to try it.

what you’ll need

• Potatoes
• Two egg yolks
• Cheese – the original recipe calls for caciocavallo cheese, but I couldn’t get this and so substituted it with mozzarella
• Grana Padana cheese (or parmesan)
• Fresh Spinach
• Sliced ham
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Salt & pepper
• Rosemary – fresh is best, but dried will work, too

what you’ll need to do

• Boil the potatoes until ready for mashing – drain, season with salt and pepper, add the grana padana (amount according to taste) and mash, the add the egg yolks, salt & pepper and rosemary and combine, then use of the mixture to line a dish or oven proof tin
• Saute the spinach in the olive oil and garlic – when wilted, drain, so that all of the excess water is removed
• Put a layer of the garlicky spinach over the potato, then a layer of the cheese you are using, then a layer of sliced ham
• Add another layer of cheese and top with the remainder of the potato, pressing it down, so that it is compact
• Brush a little oil over the surface, and bake for around 50 minutes in an oven, pre-heated to 190°C – it’ll then be ready to eat immediately or saved for later, and eaten cold

Photo credit : www.giallozafferano.com