Vegetable and Ham Slice (Printable version)
Moist slice packed with vegetables, ham, and cheese. Perfect for meals on the go.
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 cup grated zucchini, squeezed dry
02 - 1 cup grated carrot
03 - 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
→ Ham & Cheese
06 - 1 cup ham, diced
07 - 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
→ Wet Ingredients
08 - 5 large eggs
09 - 1/3 cup milk
10 - 1/4 cup olive oil
→ Dry Ingredients
11 - 1 cup self-raising flour
12 - 1/2 tsp baking powder
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
→ Herbs
15 - 2 tbsp chives or parsley, finely chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with baking paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and olive oil until well combined.
03 - Add grated zucchini, carrot, spinach, bell pepper, onion, ham, and cheese. Stir to mix thoroughly.
04 - In a separate bowl, sift together self-raising flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
05 - Fold dry ingredients and chopped herbs into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top evenly.
07 - Bake for 40 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Its one of those rare dishes that tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests
- The combination of textures creates something almost magical, with tender vegetables, salty ham pockets, and a light fluffy crumb that never feels heavy
02 -
- Removing moisture from the zucchini is the single most important step. Even a little excess water will make the center soggy and affect the cooking time.
- The slice is done when the top springs back when lightly pressed and a skewer comes out clean, but the center should still feel slightly moist, not dry or crumbly.
03 -
- Cut the vegetables into uniform pieces, roughly the same size as your diced ham. This ensures every bite contains a balanced mix of all ingredients rather than some bites being all onion or all spinach.
- Room temperature ingredients incorporate more easily and create a more uniform texture. If you forget to take eggs out early, place them in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.