Tomato and goat’s cheese tarts

• 375g packet ready-rolled puff pastry
• Plain flour, for dusting
• 150g goat’s cheese
• 250g punnet vine cherry or pomodorino tomatoes, halved
• 1 egg, beaten with a little water
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• Large sprigs basil leaves, to garnish
• 4 slices Parma ham (optional)
• Rocket, to serve

The Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Open out the pastry on a surface lightly dusted with flour. Trim off the edges to neaten – you don’t have to do this but I think it gives better results. Cut the pastry to make 4, equal-size squares and put on a baking tray. Chill until the filling is ready.

2. Break the cheese into craggy pieces. Arrange the tomato halves and goat’s cheese in the centre of each pastry square. Don’t worry if the piles look quite high, the pastry will cook up around them. Season well, then brush the edges with the beaten egg and pop in the oven for 15-18 minutes until puffed and golden.

3. Serve as they are, hot from the oven, drizzled with a little olive oil and garnished with a large basil sprig. Or top each tart with a slice of Parma ham before garnishing with the basil and rocket.