Chew on This | Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry

These last few months I have been searching for all kinds of ways to make dinner and dinner prep as easy, delicious and as fast as possible. This is mostly because I've been blindsided by the pace at which our after school lives have taken in order to get everything done. Homework, homework, practices, practices, games, games, games, games, homework, homework, homework.... Seriously, it's kind of overwhelming. And I only have two kids. 

Admittedly, my success rate has not been stellar. I have failed miserably, on many occasions, bringing to the table (or on the go in the car) a quick to prepare and proper meal. So I've been doing my best to create and find recipes that will ease the time pressures of our weeknight evenings and help me get ahead and simplify, simplify, simplify.

This Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry fits the bill for super fast and super easy prep with a delicious outcome.

Two sheets of puff pastry, Dijon mustard, leftover ham and gruyere cheese.

Layer the goodness, top with your second sheet of puff pastry, crimp and brush with egg wash.

Rocket it into the oven until golden brown and puffed. 

This lickity-split dinner offering is more of a method rather than an actual, specific recipe. So you can feel free to change up or change out any of the ingredients to your preference. Easy peasy.

As well, making this dinner portable, if you're on the go, go, go, is as simple as cutting the puff pastry into individual squares, layering on your chosen ingredients, topping with another cut out square of puff pastry, crimping, egg washing, baking and done!

Cares

Here's the recipe/method:

Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry

2 sheets puff pastry (if frozen, allow pastry to sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes)

2 T Dijon mustard

1/3 - 1/2 pound cooked ham slices

1/3 pound sliced or shredded gruyere cheese

1 egg, lightly beaten, mixed with 1 T milk

pastry brush

Preheat oven to 400℉. Lightly coat a baking sheet with non-stick spray.

Place a sheet of puff pastry onto your prepared baking sheet. Spread your Dijon mustard evenly over top of the puff pastry sheet leaving a 1/4" boarder around the pastry clean. Layer on your ham and cheese and top with your second layer of puff pastry. Crimp the two sheets of pastry together with a fork. Lightly brush the top of the pastry with your egg wash. 

Place pastry into the oven and bake for approximately 25-35 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and puffed. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!