Merken My sister called me in a panic the night before her dinner party, asking if I could help her create something that would wow her guests without requiring hours in the kitchen. I found myself standing in her kitchen with string cheese and prosciutto, and somewhere between the third braid, we both started laughing at how something so simple could look so intentional and impressive. The Nautical Knot was born that evening, and it's been a party staple ever since.
I'll never forget the moment at a potluck when someone asked if these braided ropes were homemade and actually seemed surprised when I said yes. That's when I realized this humble combination of two ingredients had crossed over from kitchen hack to showstopper.
Ingredients
- String cheese sticks: Use part-skim mozzarella for the best melting and stretch, and count on about 2 sticks per braid for a nice thickness that holds together.
- Prosciutto slices: Thinly sliced is key because thick cuts tear too easily when you're braiding, and the delicate ones create that beautiful papery texture.
Instructions
- Wrap the cheese:
- Lay each prosciutto slice flat and place a string cheese stick at one end, then roll it up snugly so the cheese is completely enclosed. The prosciutto should cling to itself as you roll, creating a neat little package.
- Start the braid:
- Take two wrapped sticks and place them parallel, then gently cross one over the other, working from one end to the opposite end with careful twists to keep the prosciutto from splitting. If you want extra drama, use three wrapped sticks for a thicker, more substantial rope.
- Finish all braids:
- Work through your remaining wrapped sticks in pairs or groups of three, braiding each set completely before moving to the next. This way you'll have multiple beautiful ropes ready to arrange however you like.
- Display or bake:
- Arrange your braided ropes around the edge of a pizza or flatbread, or lay them on a baking sheet at 375°F for 8-10 minutes if you want the prosciutto to crisp up and the cheese to gently melt.
Merken There was this moment at my friend's party when someone who said they "weren't that hungry" ended up eating three of these nautical knots and asking for the recipe. That's when I knew it wasn't just clever presentation—it was genuinely delicious.
Texture and Temperature Tips
The magic here is contrast: cool, creamy string cheese against salty, delicate prosciutto. If you serve them at room temperature as a snack, you get that chewy, playful bite. If you bake them first, the prosciutto crisps at the edges while the cheese softens and becomes almost stringy again—two completely different experiences from the same basic ingredient pairing.
Creative Serving Ideas
I've used these as pizza crust borders, as a quirky appetizer board centerpiece, and even threaded onto wooden skewers for a more formal plating. Once, I served them chilled with three different dipping sauces—marinara, pesto, and a spicy honey mustard—and people couldn't decide which was best. The beauty is that this recipe adapts to however you want to present it, whether casual or fancy.
Swaps and Variations
After experimenting with different cured meats, I've learned that speck brings a smokier depth and jamón serrano adds a slightly sweet edge. The braiding technique stays the same, but each swap changes the personality of the final result just enough to keep things interesting for repeat guests. You could also try mixing in fresh herbs or a thin smear of pesto before rolling if you want to push it further.
- Speck or jamón serrano work beautifully in place of prosciutto for a different flavor profile.
- A light brush of pesto or garlic oil on the cheese before wrapping adds an extra flavor layer.
- Chill the finished braids for 30 minutes before baking to help the prosciutto crisp more evenly.
Merken These little braided ropes remind me that the best recipes don't need to be complicated to be memorable. Sometimes all it takes is two good ingredients and the willingness to play around a little.
Antworten auf Rezeptfragen
- → Wie wird der Nautical Knot geflochten?
Prosciutto-wickelte Käse-Sticks werden paarweise zu einem Zopf geflochten, wobei man behutsam dreht, um das Zerreißen zu vermeiden.
- → Kann man den Käse austauschen?
Ja, Mozzarella oder andere ähnliche Käse-Sticks mit teilentrahmtem Fettgehalt eignen sich hervorragend.
- → Wie entsteht eine knusprige Textur?
Der geflochtene Zopf kann bei 190°C für 8–10 Minuten gebacken werden, bis der Prosciutto leicht knusprig ist.
- → Welche Dips passen gut dazu?
Marinara, Pesto oder Honig-Senf-Dips ergänzen den herzhaften Geschmack ideal.
- → Ist der Nautical Knot glutenfrei?
Ja, er ist von Natur aus glutenfrei, sollte aber bei verarbeiteten Käseprodukten geprüft werden.