Ham and Cheese Turnovers and Lilacs
Lilacs are my favorite flower (tree). Sadly, it's growing behind the cottage shop out back, which means I rarely get to see it. I'm thinking about moving it. Has anybody tried that?
Last night I made the turnovers below and with the extra pastry I made an apple strudel. The apples were from my trip to Colorado. I bought them in a canning jar labeled, "Apple Pie Filling". Mmmm, so good.
The Ham and Cheese Turnovers are pure comfort food. Use any cheese you like.
HAM AND CHEESE TURNOVERS
ingredients
- 1/2 pound frozen all-butter puff pastry, thawed
- 4 thin slices of smoked ham, such as Black Forest (4 ounces)
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded (3 ounces)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured work surface, gently roll out the puff pastry to a roughly 13-inch square 1/16 inch thick. Cut out four 6-inch squares and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate the pastry for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, lay the ham slices on a work surface. Spoon 1/4 cup of the shredded Gruyère on one side of each slice of ham, then fold the other side of the ham over the cheese to form a neat package.
- Lightly brush the edges of the pastry squares with water. Set the ham-and-cheese packages on the squares and fold the pastry corner to corner to form triangles. Press the edges of the turnovers together and crimp decoratively with a fork. Brush the turnovers with the beaten egg and bake them for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. Let cool slightly and serve.
SERVE WITH Whole-grain mustard.