Schwarzwälder Schinken Brettljause

Ingredients

• 150 g Schwarzwälder Schinken, sliced paper-thin
• 1 small loaf of dark rye or bauernbrot, sliced thick
• 100 g unsalted European-style butter, at room temperature
• 6 small gherkins (cornichons or Spreewald gurken)
• 100 g aged Bergkäse or mature Emmental, sliced
• 1 small handful of radishes, halved
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 bottle of dry riesling

Method

1. 1Bring the ham and the butter to room temperature 30 minutes before serving — cold ham has none of its smoke aroma.
2. 2Spread thick slices of the rye with a generous layer of butter.
3. 3Drape 2 to 3 slices of ham over each piece — let them fold loosely, never lay flat.
4. 4Arrange the cheese, gherkins, and radishes alongside on a wooden board.
5. 5Crack pepper over the ham. Pour the riesling. Eat slowly with a small knife and your fingers.