This is my favourite time of year, not just because school is back - although having a routine again is wonderful - but because it's just a really beautiful time of year. The leaves are beginning to turn on the trees around our house and the mornings are cool and crisp. With those cool mornings come the cool evenings and that's where this tasty dish come into it's own. It has only 3 ingredients and it bakes is 20 minutes or less! The perfect warming after school snack, I am cheating slightly with the pastry but when you are pushed for time and have hungry children waiting for something hot and filling to eat, then I think that it is only smart to have few tricks up your sleeve!

Serves 3-6

250g Unbaked croissant dough in a can (makes 6 croissants)
125g Cooked ham
140g Grated cheddar cheese
1 Egg (optional)

Preheat the oven to 180ºC/250ºF/Gas Mark 4, grease a flat 30x30cm (12x12 inch) baking sheet with butter or oil. I prefer mild cheddar cheese because as it melts it keeps within the confines of the pastry shell but is still yummy and gooey, experiment with your favourite cheese, remember that the more mature the cheddar the less gooey it will be. Crack open the can and arrange the six triangles into the shape of a star on the greased baking sheet, overlapping each piece at the centre. Layer the ham onto the pastry star... ..building up layer by layer of cheese and ham. Keep a small amount of cheese back for the top of the pastry ring. Fold the points of the star into the centre of the ring, pressing firmly so that each tip is slightly underneath the centre ring. If want a deep gold crust then brush with a beaten egg, but this is optional. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the pastry ring and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Golden and crisp with a gooey cheesy and ham filling.
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