Pizza Wheels

October 29, 2002

There is a Down Under tradition called "Ladies a plate." Thousands of social gatherings have depended on it over the years.

Many an invitation has been issued with the "Ladies a plate" note on the bottom. It's a request to bring food to share. More than one newcomer to Australasian shores has been mystified by the request and turned up with an empty plate.

So what about the chaps? In the early days they were requested to bring along a coin to assist with expenses. In later years, when draught beer for home consumption was put into half-gallon glass jars known as flagons, a "Flagon entry fee" was solicited.

In these politically correct days the request is often re-phrased to "Please bring a plate" leaving up to the individual to decide who does the preparation.

I have been on the providing end of many a plate over the years, often at short notice. The sons had a tendency to leave notices for parents in their school bags and then announce at breakfast : "Mum, I need something for our shared lunch at school." Even The Spouse has been guilty of springing a last minute surprise as he spruces up his whites for the opening of his lawn bowls season.

I was one jump ahead of him this year because my mother has joined the same bowling club and forewarned me.

"Ladies a plate" can bring out the competitive spirit in some people as they vie for the honour of bringing along the tallest cream sponge, the most luscious chocolate cake, the lightest scones, the most tender pikelets, the mouth-meltingest shortbread.

I have taken a more scientific approach and several years of research has revealed that the savouries are always a top number, particularly with the men.

I recently bought a new cookbook called Small Food, published in Australia by Murdoch Books, ISBN 1740451724. Subtitled "Snack-sized bites to share with friends", it looked like a good place to start for inspiration. And so it was. There I found today's recipe for Pizza Wheels.

This is my kind of recipe. Quick and easy to prepare, a short list of ingredients, scope to make your own modifications. The pastry will thaw while you heat the oven and prepare the filling.

They obviously moved pretty quickly because The Spouse went to sample them and the plate was empty.

Pizza Wheels

1/2 small red capsicum, finely chopped
1/4 cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
100g finely chopped ham or salami
1/2 cup[ (60g) grated cheddar
1/4 cup (60g) tomato paste
2 sheets ready-rolled puff pastry, thawed

Preheat the oven to 200C.

Combine the capsicum, parsley, oregano, ham and cheese in a bowl.

Spread the tomato paste on each sheet of pastry, leaving a 2cm border along one side, and sprinkle the capsicum mix over the top. Roll up the pastry to enclose the filling (1) leaving the plain edge until last. Brush the edge lightly with water and fold over to seal.

Cut each roll into 1cm rounds and place (2) onto greased oven trays [or use baking paper]. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden. (3)

Recipe © Murdoch Books Photos