Hello Spring Equinox!

One of the beauties of living in the lush central valley of California is springtime, when the orchards are in bloom. Tiny flowers everywhere filling the air with a sweet scent unlike any other.

When the winds gently blow, little petals float through the air and cover the ground with a blanket of white that reminds me of snow. For the sheer beauty that surrounds me, I am grateful to the Lord above for the coming of spring. It is a time of renewal and rebirth.

This Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Ring reminded me of all that is faith and springtime. The ring itself is a circle, with no beginning and no end. Just as the Lord has no beginning and no end. Once baked, it resembles the sun – the giver of light and warmth and life. Just as the Son of Man, Jesus Christ is the source of light and warmth and life.

This beautiful light lunch might just become a new family tradition filled with joy and celebration.

Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Ring
7 oz Ham
7 oz Mozzarella Cheese
2 Green Onions
1 large Egg
Water as needed
1 sheet Puff Pastry
4 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese
Sesame Seeds to taste
1 cup Ranch Dressing
1/2 cup Sour Cream

Heat oven to 400-degrees.

With a cheese grater, grate the ham. With the same grater, grate the Mozzarella Cheese. Trim and slice green onions. Lightly beat egg with a little water to create an egg wash. Set aside.

Cut a large piece of parchment paper, place on a cutting board. Place puff pastry out on the parchment paper.

Scatter ham over the puff pastry to within an inch of one long side, all the way to the edge on the remaining sides. Scatter Mozzarella Cheese over the ham, then scatter the green onion over the Mozzarella. Finish with a sprinkling of Parmesan Cheese.

Use the parchment paper to assist in creating a tight roll beginning at the long filled end, rolling toward the edge without fillings.

Brush the exposed edge with egg wash. Fold edge over the roll. Place an empty bowl on the paper. Wrap the puff pastry roll around the bowl to form a circle. Remove bowl. Using the parchment paper to assist, transfer pastry ring to a baking sheet.

With scissors, snip the roll in 1-inch increments taking care not to cut all the way through. Twist too create petals, exposing the pretty filling. Lightly brush puff pastry with the remaining egg wash. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake in the heated over for 20 minutes, until pastry is golden and the cheese begin to bubble.

While the ham pastry bakes, mix ranch dressing with sour cream in the bowl used as a guide for the center. Set aside.

Remove pastry from the oven. Place the dip in the center. Along with a simple salad and light wine, this would make a lovely lunch to celebrate the coming of spring.

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Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance.