Ham-and-Cheese Puff Pastry Tart
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1/2 pound all-butter puff pasty, cut in half
- 2 ounces Comte cheese, shredded (2/3 cup)
- 1/2 pound thinly sliced baked ham
- 1 large egg yolk mixed with 1 teaspoon water
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter.
- Add the shallot and cook over moderate heat until softened and lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Stir in the flour and cook until bubbling, about 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and bring to a boil, whisking.
- Cook over moderate heat, whisking frequently, until the sauce is thickened and no floury taste remains, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in the mustard and nutmeg.
- Season the bechamel with salt and pepper.
- Let cool.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured work surface, roll out each piece of puff pastry to a 10-by-6-inch rectangle.
- Slide 1 pastry rectangle onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Spread one-third of the cooled bechamel on the first pastry, leaving a 1-inch border all around.
- Sprinkle half of the cheese on top and cover with half of the ham.
- Repeat the layering with another third of the bechamel and the remaining cheese and ham.
- End with a final layer of bechamel.
- Cover the tart with the remaining pastry and press all around the edge to seal.
- Crimp the edge decoratively.
- Using a paring knife, cut four 1-inch slits in the top of the tart, then brush all over with the egg wash. Refrigerate until chilled, about 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 450.
- Bake the tart for 20 to 25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
unsalted butter, shallot, allpurpose, milk, wholegrain mustard, nutmeg, salt, pepper, butter, cheese, ham, egg yolk
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/ham-and-cheese-puff-pastry-tart (may not work)