On the Menu: Ham and Cheese Puff Pastries

Tracy and I love to entertain. We have a large extended family and people are constantly dropping by. They usually call ahead of time because they want to be sure we have time to whip up something fantastic for them to try. Our Aunt Eileen is always one of the first in the line to try one of our new recipes. She lives a few hours away and we always know ahead of time when she will be coming up for the weekend. She and Tracy have always been close, so we always try to have something new for her to try or one of our old favorites that she has yet to try. She is an excellent taste tester because she always raves about anything we make. Nothing makes a baker happier than compliments and praise. Right?

When a stream of family members aren't coming by, we have friends over. Whether it's for lunch, book club, game/movie night, or for a party, we love to host. Playing host and making delicious food for the event is so much fun. We always talk and plan our food way ahead of time and have all of the ingredients in the house days before they are actually needed.

These Ham and Cheese Puff Pastries are always a hit. Every time I have served them, I get tons of compliments. And they always disappear really quickly. Last time, they were gone so fast that I didn't even get one! The blend of spices and the Dijon just give these such a great flavor. By using puff pastry you save so much time. Everyone thinks you have spent hours making them because they turn out so beautiful looking, when really you have spent 20 minutes or less prepping them. My brother loves these and has been after me to make them for him again soon, so I guess I need to make a trip to the grocery store for a few of the ingredients that I need.



Ingredients
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
2 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1 (17.3 oz) pack of Puff Pastry defrosted
1/4 cup Dijon Mustard
1/2 lb thinly sliced Deli Ham
9 slices Swiss Cheese
1 Egg beaten
1 Tbsp Water


Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl mix the spices (onion powder, chili powder, pepper, garlic powder, and cinnamon) together well.
3. Unfold pastry sheets and cut each sheet into 9 squares. Then put a drop of Dijon on each square. I did not exactly measure the Dijon mustard and am estimating it to be around 1/4 cup. The drop I put on each square was probably around 1/2 teaspoon. Then smear it across the square. Then sprinkle with some of the spice blend.
4. Then add a slice or two of ham to each square. Then top with half a slice of Swiss cheese. Sprinkle more of the spice blend on the pastries.
5. Now pull two of the opposite corners of the puff pastry together and press to seal them together. Then place the ham and cheese puffs on the baking sheets.
6. Combine the egg and water. Brush each pastry with some. Then sprinkle some more of the spice blend on the top. I had some spice blend left over and put it in a ziplock bag to save for next time.
7. Bake 12-16 minutes until golden brown. Best served warm when the cheese is all melted.