Savory Cake from Sonia Murillo's Grandmother

Ingredients:

• 15 slices of crustless bread

• 200 milliliters of fried tomato sauce

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 2 tomatoes

• 100 grams of mushrooms

• 1 onion

• 300 grams of cooked ham

• 150 grams of bacon bits

• 150 grams of shredded mozzarella

• 200 grams of sliced mozzarella

• 100 grams of cream cheese

• 3 tablespoons of milk

• Salt

• Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:

1. Ingredient Preparation:

   • Finely chop the onion, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Cut the cooked ham into small cubes.

   • In a bowl, add the basil and oregano to the fried tomato sauce. Mix well to blend the flavors.

   • In another bowl, beat the cream cheese with the tablespoons of milk until smooth.

2. Cooking the Vegetables and Bacon:

   • Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pan. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent.

   • Add the mushrooms and bacon bits. Sauté over medium heat until the mushrooms are tender and the bacon is golden.

3. Assembling the Cake:

   • Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).

   • In a baking dish, place a layer of crustless bread slices at the bottom.

   • Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the bread.

   • Add another layer of bread and spread it with the creamy cream cheese mixture.

   • Add some of the mushrooms, bacon, cooked ham, and a bit of shredded mozzarella.

   • Repeat the process for several layers (depending on the size of your dish), alternating between tomato sauce and cream cheese.

4. Finishing Touch:

   • Finish with a layer of cooked ham, mozzarella slices, and tomato slices.

   • Sprinkle the remaining basil and oregano on top.

5. Baking:

   • Bake the cake for about 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure the cheese is fully melted and golden.

6. Serving:

   • Let the cake cool slightly for a few minutes before cutting it into portions.

   • Serve with a green salad or tomato salad as a side dish.

Beverage Suggestions:

• A dry white wine (such as a Sauvignon Blanc) will pair perfectly with this savory cake.

• For a non-alcoholic option, herbal iced tea or homemade lemonade would be ideal.

Enjoy your meal!