Description
This Ritz Carlton Cajun Flatbread features a rich roasted garlic béchamel sauce topped with spicy tasso ham, smoky andouille sausage, mushrooms, and a blend of mozzarella and smoked gouda cheeses. Baked to golden perfection, this flatbread combines creamy, savory, and smoky flavors with a crisp thin crust, making an elegant yet approachable appetizer or snack inspired by Cajun cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Garlic Béchamel Sauce
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- dash freshly grated nutmeg
Flatbread Toppings
- 1 thin pizza crust
- Tasso ham (amount as desired)
- Andouille sausage (amount as desired)
- Mushrooms (amount as desired)
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Roasted Garlic Béchamel: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and shallots, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. Stir in the flour until mixture is smooth and cook while stirring to a light golden sandy color, about 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate Milk and Simmer: Increase heat to medium-high and slowly whisk in the whole milk until the mixture thickens into a roux. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Continue simmering for 10 to 20 minutes until the flour fully softens, ensuring it no longer tastes gritty. Season the béchamel with salt, pepper, and freshly grated nutmeg.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400ºF (200ºC), allowing it to fully preheat while preparing the flatbread.
- Assemble Flatbread: Spread a generous layer of the roasted garlic béchamel evenly over the thin pizza crust. Top with desired amounts of tasso ham, andouille sausage, sliced mushrooms, and a blend of shredded mozzarella and smoked gouda cheeses.
- Bake Flatbread: Place the assembled flatbread in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust has turned golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven, slice, and enjoy warm as an appetizer or light meal.
Notes
- For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the béchamel sauce.
- Use fresh mushrooms and slice them thinly for even coverage.
- If you prefer, substitute the pizza crust with a naan or flatbread of your choice.
- Leftover béchamel sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Ensure to stir the béchamel constantly to prevent lumps and burning.
