Corniottes (Savory Cheese Pastries)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fromage blanc or 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup crème fraiche or sour cream
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup coarsely grated Gruyere or Swiss-type cheese
• salt and pepper
• 1 pound puff-pastry dough

Directions:

1. If using fromage blanc, pour it into a cheesecloth-lined stainer, set over a bowl and chill for at least 8 hours.
2. Mix the prepared fromage blanc (or ricotta) with the crème fraiche (or sour cream), 3/4 cup of the Gruyere and one of the eggs. Add salt and pepper and set aside.
3. Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface. Cut into rounds about 5 inches in diameter.
4. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with wax paper and prick them all over with a fork. Chill for 15 minutes or until firm.
5. Beat the other egg in a small bowl and brush around the edges of each round. Drop some filling into the center of each round and pull up the edges to make a triangular shape. Take care not to let any of the filling get on the part of the pastry with the egg wash, or it won't stick well.
6. Put back in the fridge and chill for at least 30 minutes (this prevents them from opening during baking).
7. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and bake until lightly browned (15 minutes or so). Now sprinkle with the remaining Gruyerele. Bake another 5 to 10 minutes or until the Gruyere melts and starts to brown.