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Easy Puff Pastry Ham Appetizer with Pesto
You might want to simplify this ham sandwich recipe by using easy puff pastry, which has been readymade. It tastes about the same as homemade puff pastry and is a timesaver, especially if you have a number of different easy party appetizers to get ready. Puff pastry is not hard but it can be tricky if you have never made it before. If you are catering for a buffet or dinner party and making lots of food, you will not want a pastry disaster!
Roasted red bell peppers are available in the pickle section of most grocery stores or you could do your own. If you use canned bell peppers, make sure they are well drained on paper towels before using them in this ham appetizer recipe, else you will end up with very soggy sandwiches. You might want to add slices of Swiss cheese too, for a unique and delicious flavor.
The pesto goes wonderfully with the other ingredients and gives this appetizer recipe a gentle Italian flavor. You could try red pesto instead of basil pesto for a slightly different flavor. These sandwiches are nice served warm and using puff pastry instead of bread to make appetizer sandwiches is a nice touch.
Pesto and Ham Appetizer
Ingredients -
1 egg
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
½ lb deli ham
1 cup roasted red bell peppers
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
¼ cup basil pesto
Preparation:
Thinly slice the deli ham and cut the bell peppers into strips.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Unfold the pastry and brush it with lightly beaten egg, then sprinkle the sesame seeds over it.
Cut the pastry along the fold lines so you get thirds, and then cut each third into 8 rectangles.
These will be about 1 inch by 3 inches.
Put the pastry shapes on to an ungreased cookie tray, 2 inches apart from each other.
Baked until light golden and puffed up.
This will take about 15 minutes.
Let the pastries cool on a wire rack, and then cut them horizontally in half.
Spread the pesto on the cut side and top with the bell pepper strips.
Arrange the ham on top and close the sandwiches.
(Makes 24)
