Easy and snappy Vol au vent - mushroom filling - tasty canape

For quick party canape, I used vol au vent cases bought from gourmet deli or health food store.  Alternatively, cut puff pastry and place in small cup cake moulds. Bake for 15 - 20 mins at 180 C.

This is a vegetarian filling : chopped button mushroom, garlic, white wine and butter.

Melt butter, fry garlic and mushroom slices. Add white wine and mix well. When slightly cooled, fill the cases and serve.

Empanadas Tapas - Latin American smoked ham, onion, cheese, tomato

Spanish influenced snacks or tapas. Besides South Europeans, South American and Filipinos make delicious empanadas with unique local flavours.

Here's an easy recipe inspired by my beautiful Latin American friend. She provided the basic recipe which can be expanded and tweaked to individual taste.

I have added more fillings to perk up the flavours to fit a fussy eater's main meal. Guess who's that?

Make from scratch or use good quality puff pastry. You'll need 2 pieces.
Blind bake one on both sides lightly at 150 C for 10 mins (preheated oven).

Prepare smoked leg ham, cheese, tomato, slice onion and line liberally on the baked pastry.
Cover with the uncooked pastry and bake at 180 C for 20 mins. Lower the heat to 150 C for another 10 mins. Do not burn the pastry.