Recipes

Cheese and Smoked Ham in a Puff Pastry

  • Serves

    serves 8

JEAN-DANIEL SUDRES/SCOPE

Raclette is an uncooked, semi-firm cow's milk cheese. It originated from Switzerland but is also produced in the Savoie region of France and is now a local staple.

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 12 cup creme fraiche
  • 1 12 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 12 cup milk
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. puff pastry, cut into 2 equal pieces
  • 12 lb. raclette, thinly sliced
  • 12 lb. smoked ham, thinly sliced

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°. Combine egg yolk and 1 tbsp. of the creme fraiche in a small bowl. Set aside.

Step 2

To make bechamel sauce, melt butter in a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 2 minutes. Combine remaining creme fraiche and milk in a bowl and gradually whisk into pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Step 3

Roll out pastry into two 8" × 11" rectangles, 1⁄2" thick. Place 1 sheet of dough on a baking sheet. Leaving a 1⁄2" border, prick dough with a fork. Layer cheese over dough and cover with ham slices. Spread bechamel sauce over ham. Brush pastry edges with egg wash. Cover with second sheet of pastry, sealing borders with a fork. Score pastry with a small, sharp knife. Coat with egg wash and bake until golden, 20-25 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.

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