Wow your guests for your next brunch with these ham & cheese puffs. Serve with a crisp salad for an easy yet impressive dish with little effort.
INGREDIENTS LIST FOR THE HAM CHEESE & SPINACH PUFFS
Makes 8:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup (240ml) warm milk
1 pinch of salt
Freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Ground nutmeg (optional)
1/2 lb (220g) cooked ham, diced
2 cups fresh spinach, rinsed and chopped
1 cup Swiss cheese, grated
DIRECTIONS
1. Cut the puff pastry sheets into 5-inch (13cm) squares. Set aside in the refrigerator. Pre-heat your oven to 400°F(200°C).
2. For the bechamel sauce: Melt butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Add flour and salt; cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture becomes pale golden with a slightly nutty aroma.
3. Pour warm milk in 2 steps, stirring constantly with wooden spoon and whisk until smooth. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly along the bottom of the saucepan, until boiling, about 7 minutes.
4. Reduce heat to low. Simmer gently until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. If you still have lumps, use your immersion blender!
5. Stir in spinach and cook for 1 minute. Add ham and cheese and stir well. Set aside.
6. Arrange the puff pastry squares on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Dollop 1 or 2 tablespoons of the bechamel mixture, top with grated cheese and close the pockets by folding the corners on top.
7. Make an egg wash using an egg and 1 coffee spoon of cold water. Brush the puff pastry and bake in the oven for 20 minutes, until puffed and golden. Serve immediately with a crisp salad.
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