Christmas '08 - Instalment 4 - Parma Fillet

For the Beef Parma:

Good quality organic beef fillet - 200 to 250g per guest
Mushrooms of choice
Parma ham slices to cover the fillet
minced garlic
small green chili
Saute the mushrooms, garlic and chili in olive oil till soft, put aside.
On a clean, dry work surface, lay cling film long and wide enough to roll up the fillet. Lay the parma ham in overlapping fashion and spread with the mushroom mix. Brown the fillet in a griddle pan, while you heat the oven to a moderately hot temperature.

Rest the fillet for 10 minutes, than place in the centre of the parma and mushrooms. Roll up using the cling film, making sure the fillet is totally covered, wrap tightly in the cling film and chill for 20 minutes in the fridge.


Remove the cling film and place in the hot oven and grill for 15 to 20 minutes, rest for 10 and carve.

Serve on a bed of rocket, scattering all the crunchy parma bits, left on the board after carving, over the top.

Christmas '08 - Instalment 2 - The Savoury Phyllo Tarts

Soni's Savoury Phyllo Tarts

Son came across this a few years ago on a girls night out.

All you really need is thawed ready made Puff Pastry, Imagination and a pre-heated oven at 180 C.

For the appetizer on Christmas day, Son made 2:

*

Parma ham, Gorgonzola, Fig preserve and Chili, garnished with Rocket.

*

Tomato, Mushroom and Mozzarella

*

Lightly roll out the dough and place on a greased baking sheet. Brush the inner part of the dough with olive oil, leaving a rim of about 1.5 cm, un-oiled.

Layer the ingredients, always ending with the cheese, if you are using any. Fresh herbs must always be added after the baking process.

Bake in the hot oven for approximately 20 minutes until the pastry is cooked through at the centre and puffed and golden brown on the crusts . Carefully slide onto a wooden board, cut into squares, and serve.

Tip:

For dinner parties, take a bit of extra time and make individual tarts. The average Puff pastry sheet should give you 6 generous portions to serve on their own, or 9 smaller single portions to serve with a side salad as starters.

Once you've tried these they will become a standard in your repertoire, as the combinations are only limited by your imagination. These are also excellent to rustle up a snack with for unexpected visitors, using what ever you find in your store cupboard and fridge.