Ham Cheese Ficelles Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Pulse the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and 1/2 cup of the Cheddar and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal with pea-size bits of butter remaining. Add the buttermilk and pulse a few times, until the dough just comes together.
• Turn the dough out onto a work surface that's lightly dusted with flour, then pat into a 7-by-7-inch square that's about 1 inch thick. Scatter half of the ham and 1/4 cup of the Cheddar on half of the dough, then fold the other half of dough over like a book; gently pinch the edges to seal. Pat the dough out again into a 7-by-7-inch square, scatter the remaining ham and 1/4 cup of cheese on top and fold the dough over like a book. Press once more into a 7-by-7-inch square.
• Use a sharp chef's knife to cut the dough into 12 even rectangular pieces. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops of each piece with additional buttermilk. Bake until the biscuits are puffed and well browned, 18 to 20 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place a piece of parchment paper on a sheet pan.
• Lay 1 sheet of puff pastry on a floured board and carefully roll it out to 10 by 12 inches. Place it on a sheet pan and brush the center with the mustard, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. Place a layer first of ham and then cheese, also leaving a 1-inch border. Brush the border with the egg wash.
• Place the second sheet of puff pastry on the floured board and roll it out to 10 by 12inches. Place the second sheet on top of the filled pastry, lining up the edges. Cut the edges straight with a small, sharp knife and press together lightly. Brush the top with egg wash and cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Allow to cool for a few minutes and serve hot or warm.

Steps:

• To make the croquetas, melt the butter in a medium saucepan and gently fry the onion for 3 mins or until lightly coloured. Stir in the flour and cook for 30 secs. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly, and cook over a low heat for 5 mins until thick and glossy. Stir in the ham, cheese, mustard and cream, and season to taste. Cook for 1 min more until the cheese melts, stirring constantly.
• Pour into a bowl and cover the surface with cling film to stop a skin forming. Leave to cool, then chill for 4 hrs or overnight - the mixture needs to be very stiff to form the croquetas. Take heaped teaspoons of the mixture and, with wet hands, roll into 24 small oval shapes and put on a tray. Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl, put the flour on a plate and half of the breadcrumbs in a bowl.
• Roll each of the croquetas lightly in flour, then in egg before coating in breadcrumbs. Place on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Use the remaining breadcrumbs to top up the bowl halfway through the coating process. Chill for 30 mins (or to freeze, see tip, below left).
• Meanwhile, make the tomato chilli jam. Put all the ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover loosely with a lit and cook for 50 mins - 1 hr, stirring occasionally, until thick and glossy. Leave to cool before serving.
• Fill a large saucepan one-third full with the sunflower oil and heat to 180C (or heat the oil in an electric deep-fat fryer). Do not overheat and do not leave hot oil unattended. Using a metal slotted spoon, lower 6 croquets into the oil and cook for 1.5 mins or until golden brown. Transfer to a baking tray lined with kitchen paper to absorb excess oil, and continue cooking the rest. Serve with the chilli jam for dipping.

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat eggs, milk and oil. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to egg mixture and beat until smooth. Fold in cheese and ham or bacon. , Bake in a waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions until golden brown. Top each waffle with a fried egg if desired.

Steps:

• Slice the loaf of bread in half, then slice it lengthwise.
• Add a generous amount of soft butter to each slice, then add slices of the shaved ham.
• You are ready to enjoy this simple treat.