Cheesy Leek Bacon Puff Recipes

CHEESY BROCCOLI PUFFS

Steps:

• To make the sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour.
• Stir for a minute over medium heat then slowly whisk in the milk. The sauce needs to be very thick (but still creamy) in consistency so you might not need all the milk.
• When the sauce is smooth, creamy and thick, turn the heat down and cook the sauce out for approximately 7-10 minutes, stirring regularly, until the sauce is velvety smooth and all flouriness has been cooked out.
• When the sauce is cooked, remove from the heat then add the cheese, steamed broccoli, cayenne pepper and seasoning and stir to combine. Cover the surface of the sauce with a piece of plastic wrap to prevent a film from forming then set aside.
• Pre-heat the oven to 180°c.
• Place the pastries in the holes of a shallow muffin tin, pressing down properly.
• Spoon in the broccoli filling then fold over the edges of the pastry.
• Brush with the beaten egg and place in the oven.
• Allow the pastries to bake for 20-25 minutes until they pastry is golden, crisp and cooked through.
• Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

CHEESY LEEK & BACON PUFF

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a frying pan and fry the bacon for 3-4 mins until it begins to crisp. Tip onto a plate lined with kitchen paper. Add the remaining olive oil to the pan with the butter and allow to melt before adding the leeks and thyme. Season and cook for 3-4 mins until softened. Place in a bowl with the crisp bacon and cheese, and allow to cool.
• Whisk the egg in a small bowl with 1 tsp water, to make an egg wash. Cut one-third off the pastry and, on a lightly-fl oured surface, roll out to make a 15cm x 30cm rectangle, and place on a baking sheet. This will form the base of the tart. Pile the leek mixture in the middle of the base, leaving a 2cm surround. Roll the remaining pastry into a larger rectangle which will cover the leek mixture easily. Brush the edges of the pastry base with egg wash, then carefully lay over the larger rectangle and smooth the surface to get rid of any trapped air. Cut away excess pastry to form a tidy edge and glaze with egg wash. With the back of a fork, press to seal the edges. Chill for 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Brush the top of the pastry with more egg wash and season the top before baking. Cook for 10 mins, then reduce the heat to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and cook for 25-30 mins until puffed up and golden brown. Serve either hot or at room temperature.
• To make ahead, freeze at end of stage 2 for up to a month, or refrigerate for up to a day.