Easy Ham, Broccoli & Cheese Pastry

'Tis the season for starting to think about holiday gatherings. I love the anticipation of planning get togethers to celebrate all the upcoming fun that fall and winter has in store. But that excitement? It fizzles out real fast when I make things too complicated {which, sadly, is often the case}.

Party planning means adding yet another task to the ever-growing list that begins to form as soon as the first fall leaves start to change colors. Getting too elaborate can lead to frustration and exhaustion, especially during the holiday months that are already packed to the brim with events and activities. So I have a little rule to help maintain sanity when it comes to soiree strategizing: Keep menu planning simple.

This is NOT the time to attempt a souffle or finally try your hand at macarons in hopes of impressing guests. No way, Jose. This is a time to stick to guaranteed, fool-proof recipes made with ingredients that you know will be winners.

My friends at Boar's Head have their own set of rules when it comes to crafting the best flavors in their products. That's part of the reason why their SmokeMaster™ Black Forest Ham tastes so darn good. They stick to their "Smoke House Rules", like starting with the best smoke {using imported German beechwood, in this case} and practicing time-honored tradition to get the best results. In other words, they overdo it so you don't have to.

That's a delightful pile-o-ham right there.

Their rules and my rules came together to make an appetizer that, well... rules. Easy Smoked Ham, Broccoli & Cheese Pastry. Key word: EASY.

Filled with the rich taste of Boar's Head SmokeMaster™ Beechwood Smoked Black Forest Ham, fresh broccoli and gooey cheese, this flaky pastry makes a great appetizer to throw together for any celebration. Using just 5 ingredients, no one will know that it took hardly any effort at all. Mix and match with different combinations of veggies and cheese to see which you like best with the smooth, smoky flavor of the ham.

Stick to my number one rule and keep it simple so you can actually enjoy the party this year!

What are some of the things you practice in your kitchen or cooking that have made their way onto your "Smoke House Rules?" Enter Boar's Head's Smoke House Rules Sweepstakes and you could win a gift card to stock up on smoky goodness for your dishes!

Easy Smoked Ham, Broccoli & Cheese Pastry

The Kitchen Prep

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Cool Time 10 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Course Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 12 Servings

Ingredients

  

• ¾ cup Boar's Head SmokeMaster™  Black Forest Ham chopped
• 1 cup grated cheese {I used Colby-Jack but you can use your favorite}
• 1 cup broccoli florets cut into small pieces
• 1 package puff pastry thawed to package directions
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, toss together ham, cheese, and broccoli. Set aside.
• Roll out puff pastry sheet to approximately 12x10 inches.* Cut in half length wise, and place one piece on the prepared baking sheet.
• Brush on about 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard. Place half of the filling onto the center of the puff pastry. Top with the other rectangle and crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Make a few small slits in the top to let steam escape.
• Repeat with second piece of puff pastry, if using.
• Bake for about 15-20 minutes until puffed and golden. Remove from oven when fully baked and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

*Most puff pastry comes with two sheets. I went ahead and used them both, yielding 2 pastries that can each be sliced into 6 pieces {or 12 servings}. If you only want to use one puff pastry sheet, halve the recipe.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.