This delicious ham and cheese pastry was inspired by one of the favorites at Chicago’s Kasama. The flaky puff pastry balances sweet and savory flavors from the Gruyere cheese, salty ham and sweet turbinado sugar. Before you add this to your brunch buffet next weekend, drizzle with peppered honey.
Ham and Cheese Danish
Serves 9-12
1 (14-oz.) pkg. frozen all-butter puff pastry, thawed
All-purpose flour, for work surface and sprinkling
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
4 ounces Gruyère cheese, roughly chopped (about 3/4 cup)
¾ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons honey
¼ teaspoon black pepper
24 (1/2-oz.) thin serrano ham or other dry-cured ham slices
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Unfold pastry onto a lightly floured work surface; sprinkle pastry lightly with flour. Trim pastry edges to form a 12- x 9-inch rectangle; discard scraps. Cut dough into 12 (2- x 4 1/2-inch) pieces ( I only got 9). Arrange dough pieces in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Whisk together egg and water in a small bowl; brush evenly over tops of pastry pieces. Sprinkle tops evenly with sugar. Chill in freezer 15 minutes.
Transfer baking sheet to preheated oven; bake until pastry pieces are puffed and golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, process cheese in a food processor until cheese starts to clump together, about 1 minute. Place cream in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high. Immediately remove from heat; let cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Pour cream into a small liquid measuring cup; with food processor running, carefully and slowly pour hot cream onto cheese, processing until cheese is fully melted and mixture is incorporated, about 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl; refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a spreadable consistency, about 45 minutes.
Microwave honey in a small microwavable bowl on high until hot and runny, about 20 seconds. Stir in pepper. Spread cheese mixture evenly onto pastry pieces (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each). Fold and drape 2 ham slices on top of each piece. Drizzle with pepper honey. Serve immediately Adapted from: FoodandWine
