HAM AND CHEESE EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Melt butter in saucepan on medium-low heat.
• Whisk flour into butter, and increase heat to medium. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes.
• Whisk milk into flour/butter mixture and bring to boil, stirring. Sauce will thicken slightly.
• Whisk 2 eggs into mixture and cook, stirring, for 1 -2 minutes more or until sauce has thickened.
• Add grated cheese and parmesan and stir until melted. Remove from heat and add cayenne pepper and salt to taste.
• Roll out 1 sheet of puff pastry dough on a floured surface to 12 inches square. With a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut dough into 12 3 x 4 inch rectangles.
• .Mix egg yolk with water, and brush the edges of half of the rectangles with the egg yolk mixture.
• Place a piece of ham in the center of the rectangles brushed with egg yolk. There should be an edge of dough all around the ham. Top ham with 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture.
• Cover the ham and cheese with one of the plain rectangles, and firmly press down around the edges to seal.
• Repeat with other sheet of puff pastry. Pastries may be frozen at this point, or kept in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours before baking.
• Prick the top of the empanadas several times with a fork, and brush tops lightly with the egg yolk mixture.
• Bake 20 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
• Serve hot or at room temperature.