Puff pastry braids

Puff pastry braids are delicious snacks that can be easily prepared in various versions. Here I will provide you with a simple and tasty version with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet of rectangular puff pastry
• 100 g of cooked ham
• 100 g of cheese of your choice (for example, mozzarella, emmental or fontina)
• 1 egg (for brushing)
• Sesame or poppy seeds (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Roll out the puff pastry on a work surface.
3. Cut the already rolled out pastry into strips about 2 cm wide.
4. Spread the cooked ham and the chopped or sliced cheese on each strip, leaving a small edge along the sides to allow for sealing.
5. At this point, roll up each strip to form the braids. If you wish, you can first twist two strips together and then roll them up to get a more marked braid effect.
6. Transfer the braids onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Beat the egg and brush each braid with the beaten egg. This step helps to achieve a golden color and a shiny surface.
8. If you like, sprinkle the braids with sesame or poppy seeds to add crunch and flavor.
9. Bake the braids for about 15-20 minutes or until they are golden and puffed up.

Trivia

Puff pastry braids can be customized with various ingredients, such as anchovies, olives, pesto, or vegetables, to create different flavor combinations. Try adding a touch of aromatic herbs such as rosemary or thyme to make each bite even more fragrant. In Italy, they are appreciated for their versatility and are often served as an appetizer or to accompany an aperitif.