Pea and Bacon Pasties

Serves: Makes 10-12 pasties

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 25 Minutes

Ready In: 45 mins

8 oz - smoked lardons (or smoked bacon)

8 oz - frozen peas

5 oz - mascarpone

1 oz - grated parmesan (plus a little extra for the tops)

2 - eggs

1 handful - mint leaves

13 oz - pack puff pastry

a little - plain flour (for rolling)

Put the lardons in a large frying pan (you can chop bacon into small pieces if you can't find smoked lardons). Cook until crisp (about 8 minutes) then drain on kitchen paper. Meanwhile, if your peas are still frozen, pour a kettle of hot water over them and leave to stand for 5 minutes, then drain well.
When the bacon and peas have cooled, combine together in a large bowl. Mash them lightly with a fork to crush the peas and break up the bacon. Stir in the mascarpone, the Parmesan, and 1 egg. Chop the mint, add to the mix, then season with freshly-ground black pepper.
Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut out circles using a 4" (12cm) cutter. Spoon the filling into the centre of each circle. Brush the edges with beaten egg and pinch the pastry together on one side to seal. Brush the tops with a little more egg wash and sprinkle each with Parmesan.
Place the pasties on 2 floured baking sheets. Bake in a preheated moderately hot oven (Mk 6 - 400°F - 200°C) for 25 minutes. Leave to cool, then chill until ready to serve or pack up.