I prepared these flavorful Ham, Mustard and Beer Mini Pies as part of a dinner I was making for friends. Unfortunately, they weren’t fully cooked when we sat down to dine, and we had moved on to dessert by the time they were ready. However, I shared them the next day with my family, and relished this little taste of home.

HAM, MUSTARD AND BEER MINI PIES

50 grams butter

1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed

2 teaspoons grainy mustard

50 grams flour

1 cup beer

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

1 cup grated sharp cheddar

400 grams ham, diced

puff pastry

egg wash

10 slices mozzarella

Heat butter in a medium saucepan. Saute garlic and mustard until fragrant. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly add beer, stirring constantly until smooth. Add milk and sauce. Simmer gently for 10 minutes. Cool then mix in cheese and ham.

Heat oven to 180C. Cut 10cm x 12cm circles and line a lightly greased muffin tin. Divide ham mixture between cases. Cut 10cm x 8 cm pastry circles to cover pies. Crimp with fingers to seal, brush with egg wash and cut a cross on top. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Before serving, top with mozzarella and grill until melted.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from New Zealand House and Garden

www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/nz-house-garden/