Ham and Cheese Pastry Sun

So after making my Nutella Christmas Tree I had an idea that I would like to make one with ham and cheese or with spinach and ricotta. Now the Christmas tree branches are quite thin, so I didn't think it would work with a thicker filling. The branches would be hard to twist if too thick.

I had seen Careme Pastry do a version of this with a square sheet, using shortcrust pastry. So I tried it. We liked their recipe, but did not love it, but I liked their idea. They cut the square into triangles, to serve.

Now somewhere in the back of my mind I must have seen this and I thought why not make it into a sun shape. I didn't want to use shortcrust pastry, I wanted to use puff pastry.

It was brilliant. I had my nieces over for a few days, the kids finished this off in minutes. They loved it. They would all tear off an end and eat it, it was perfect as a light snack after a morning at the beach. The centre piece had to be shared as they all wanted it.

Now you can trim the pastry to make it round, more sun shape, but I find that just a waste of pastry and in all honesty, I'm okay with imperfection.

Don't make the strips too thin, use the picture below as a guide.

This recipe is a guide only, use whatever ham you like and as much as you like. With the cheese, I didn't really measure it, just put on a good sprinkling.

If you are looking to make a quick snack for your kids, or you have some leftover ham to use up, try this, it is delicious.

Recipe

2 sheets pampus puff pastry
8 slices doubles smoked ham
1-2 cups grated tasty cheese
2 teaspoons mustard powder
1 egg, beaten


Preheat oven to 200C.

Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Place one sheet of the puff pastry onto your baking paper.

You can either place the ham slices on whole or shred them first, just place the ham on the pastry evenly spreading it out.

Scatter the cheese all over. Sprinkle the mustard powder over the cheese.

Brush the remaining pastry sheet on one side with egg. Place the egg side down over the filling, pressing the edges down slightly to seal.

Now place a drinking glass in the centre of the pastry, don't press it down, you don't want to cut the pastry, just mark it.

Now cut out from the glass to the edges, making sure you cut through to the bottom pastry sheet. Make the slices thicker, rather than thinner.

Remove the glass.

Now take each strip and gently twirl them, press the ends down a little.

Brush all over with beaten egg. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until browned and puffed.

Carefully place onto a serving plate and serve hot, or at room temperature, but it is better hot. Remember just let your kids or guests tear the strips off, it is a fun way to eat it.

Enjoy!

Find the recipe at www.whatscookingella.com/ham-and-cheese-pastry-sun.html 
Pin it: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/399413060682983193/

I'd love to know what you think about this recipe, and please let me know if you have made it, I do like to get feedback. Name and comment only required.