Ham pirakka

8 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1⅔cupAll-purpose flour
¼teaspoonSalt
½cupChilled butter, cut into
Small pieces
½cupSour cream
1Egg
1tablespoonFresh lemon juice
¼cupButter
¾poundsMushrooms, chopped
½cupMinced onion
8ouncesCream cheese, at room
Temperature
Salt and pepper
1cupFinely chopped walnuts
2tablespoonsBrandy,optional
3cupsGround ham,about 1 1/2 lbs.
½cupCoarse breadcrumbs
½cupChopped fresh chives OR
½cupSliced green onion tops
¼cupMinced fresh parsley
2Eggs, beaten to blend
1Egg, beaten with:
2tablespoonsMilk (glaze)
Sour cream, optional

Directions

FLAKY EGG PASTRY

MUSHROOM PATE

HAM FILLING

Combine flour and salt in large bowl.Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.Beat sour cream,egg and lemon juice to blend.

Stir into flour with fork until stiff dough forms.Gather into ball.

Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 30 minutes. Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat.Add mushrooms and onion and cook until all liquid evaporates,stirring occasionally about 15 minutes;cool.Blend in cream cheese.Add salt and pepper.Stir in walnuts and brandy,optional. For ham filling,combine all ingredients in medium bowl.Preheat oven to 400 degrees.Line baking sheet with parchment paper.Divide dough in half.Wrap one portion in plastic and refrigerate to keep from drying. Roll remaining portion out on lightly floured surface into a 6 x 12" rectangle.Set on prepared sheet.Layer with half of mushroom pate and half of ham filling,remaining pate and remaining ham,leaving a 1" border on all sides. Press filling into rounded log shape.Bring dough edges up sides of filling to make a small edge.Roll remaining dough out into a rectangle slightly larger than the first.Make several ½ x 4" crosswise slashes in dough.Brush with egg glaze and crimp to seal.Bake until golden, about 30 minutes.Serve hot,warm or chilled.Pass sour cream,separately, if desired.Makes 6 to 8 servings.