Pizza Pastries

Total time: 30 minutes
     Little pizzas, made with prepared puff pastry, make an easy first course.  Make them smaller and you have finger food for a cocktail party.  These are topped with browned shallots, a bit of ham and cheese on a tomato base.... Mini pizza!

 Ingredients:

• puff pastry, 1/2 sheet
• 2 shallots
• 1oz (30gr) ham
• 1oz (30gr) cheese  any flavor, I used cheddar
• 3 tbs ketchup
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp olive oil

 Instructions:

• Thaw the puff pastry, if needed.
• Peel and thinly slice the shallots. 
• Heat oil in medium skillet, add shallots and sauté over medium-high heat until browned and starting to crisp around the edges, 10 - 12 minutes,  longer if needed. 
• Mix ketchup, soy sauce and oregano in a small bowl. 
• Cut ham and cheese into small pieces.
• To assemble:
• Lay out puff pastry and cut two 5 inch circles (12 cm).  Use a bowl as a guide. 
• Lay pastry on baking sheet, either nonstick or lightly oiled. 
• With a knife lightly score a line around the edge of each pastry, about 1/3" (.75 cm) from the edge.  Do not cut through the pastry!  (A butter knife works best.) 
• Divide the ketchup mixture and spread within the scored lines.
• Spread the shallots evenly on the pastries. 
• Divide the ham and sprinkle on top. 
• Top with the cheese, keeping all of the ingredients within the scored lines.  
• Bake in a pre-heated oven at 420F (210C) for 8 - 12 minutes, until sides of pastry have puffed around middle and are golden brown. 
• Remove and serve.

Note: Either freeze the leftover puff pastry (it can be re-frozen once) or make Palmiers, savory or sweet.