Using store bought puff pastry makes this a quick and easy pastry. The cheese and ham filling is reminiscent of a croques monsieur and is a perfect for a picnic or a great lunch served with a green salad. Choose puff pastry made with butter.

Pâté Lorraine

Category

Category name

Serves

4 to 8

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, 8 ounces
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 6 thin slices Gruyère or Swiss cheese
  • 3 thin slices ham

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Roll the dough to a 10- by 12-inch rectangle. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  3. Cut the dough, vertically, in two, with one ‘half’ slightly larger than the other. Lay the smaller piece on the baking sheet and brush a 1-inch boarder with the egg. Layer the cheese within the rectangle. Top with a layer of ham and then another layer of cheese. Brush the larger piece of pastry with an egg border and lay on top, egg side down. Press to seal the edges and brush the top with egg. If you like, press along the edges with a fork to ensure the seal and to create a design. Using a paring knife, score the top.
  4. Bake until the dough is puffed, golden brown and crispy, for 30 to 35 minutes. Allow to cool to warm or room temperature before slicing.