Ham and Cheese Pastry Puff

It’s Christmas Eve, and it will seem like all the world is silent as children hit the sheets early in the hope that Santa will soon be there. But what to serve? I like to go for something easy and elegant, and what better than Puffed Pastry. And while I normally like to make my meals from scratch, making Puff Pastry is where I draw the line. Puff Pastry sheets are readily available in the frozen section of your local grocery store, and using them will cut a huge amount of work out of you day. Simply pull them out onto the counter and thaw them at room temperature for 40 minutes, then roll out to the size of an 11 X 14 rectangle and you have the basis for a delicious, decadent and elegant savory pastry. An indulgence worthy of the holidays.

Astrologically speaking, this dish is heavily influenced by the Moon, which rules all dairy products including butter and cheese. La Luna is a great planet for Christmas Eve as it relates to habits, traditions and all the comforts of home, a theme which we embrace and celebrate throughout the Christmas season. If you’re not a big fan of ham, or are vegetarian, you could easily replace the ham with a layer of thin-sliced carmelized onions to make an onion and cheese pastry. Or try coming up with your own fillings to do something special and unique to you this holiday season.

Print Recipe

Ham and Cheese Pastry Puff

An elegant savory pastry suitable for the holidays.

Ingredients

• 1 package puff pastry sheets
• 1 lb. deli ham thin sliced
• 1 cup gruyere or Swiss cheese
• ½ cup cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• Egg wash

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Thaw pastry sheets at room temperature for 40 minutes, until pliable.
• Place foil on a 11 X 14 inch sheet pan. Grease foil with some olive oil.
• Roll out pastry sheets to 11 x 14 inch rectangles.
• Place one rolled out pastry sheet on bottom of pan.
• Layer slices of ham on pastry sheet, overlapping slices and leaving about ½ to an inch on each side for sealing.
• Top ham with a layer of evenly distributed gruyere cheese.
• Top with a layer of cheddar cheese.
• Sprinkle over a teaspoon of onion powder.
• Sprinkle over red pepper flakes.
• Using a pastry brush, brush the exposed edges of the puff pastry with egg wash.
• Lay 2 puff pastry sheet over the top to cover, then press down and pinch the edges to form a seal around the filling.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until puff pastry puffs up and is golden brown.
• Cool 5 minutes, then serve. Enjoy!