Ham and Cheese Brunch Bites

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375° Fahrenheit.

Prepare a creamy ricotta dipping sauce in a medium-size bowl by mixing Frigo® Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese, Dijon mustard, dill pickle relish, sweet pickle relish, tarragon, and season with salt and black pepper.  Set aside.

In a small bowl, make the egg wash by lightly beating an egg with 1 tablespoon of water and then set aside.

Place a piece of parchment paper onto your work surface and dust lightly with flour.  Lay two sheets of puff pastry on top of the paper.  Slice each sheet lengthwise into 3 equal strips. Then, slice each strip in half to create a total of twelve pieces approximately 3-inches wide by 4 ½-inches long. 

Using the back of a teaspoon, brush the dough with a thin layer of the ricotta dipping sauce leaving a ¼-inch border around the edge. 

Divide the sliced ham, shredded Frigo® Whole Milk Mozzarella Cheese and half of the Frigo® Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese for the filling between the twelve pieces of pastry.  Be careful not to overfill. 

Brush the border with some of the egg wash, fold in half lengthwise and seal press with a fork.

Brush the top lightly with egg wash, sprinkle with the remaining Frigo® Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese, and cut a slit in the top to allow steam to escape.

Using a spatula, transfer the ham and cheese bites to a baking sheet lined with fresh parchment paper.  Bake for 20 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.

Serve with remaining ricotta dipping sauce and a fresh green salad. Enjoy!

Rad Remix:  Try experimenting by adding additional ingredients to the stuffing such as steamed broccoli, roasted red peppers, pickled artichoke hearts, sautéed onions and garlic, or fresh herbs.

Rad Tip!

Defrost puff pastry dough overnight in the fridge before you begin.

Brunch Tips:

A breakfast or brunch buffet is a great way to start the day and an amazing way to celebrate special occasions!  Consider these ideas that will leave your guests with lasting impressions:

• Brunch buffets are a wonderful way to introduce your family and friends to something new and still satisfy the picky eaters!  

• If you are showcasing a lot of dishes, you must master some make-ahead specialties like these Ham and Cheese Brunch Bites that are wonderful hot but just as tasty baked ahead and served at room temperature.

• Invite a celebration by welcoming good friends and cherished family members with refreshing Sparkling Wines and Spritzers.  Pair your spritzers with tasty bites!  Frigo Cheese is a complement to sweet and savory dishes!  

• A brunch buffet is a free-flowing affair that can feature both lunch and breakfast options.  Feel free to use several surfaces to hold everything. It works well to group the main and side dishes together on one table, beverages on another, and desserts on yet another.  This allows movement around the buffet and creates opportunities for conversation.

• Place the food on the buffet table in a logical order: Main dishes first followed by side dishes, salads, and breads. 

• Foods should be cut into individual servings whenever possible to limit unnecessary flatware and dishes.