Small Vols-au-Vents, or Patty-Cases

Instructions

1. These are quickly and easily made with two round paste-cutters, of which one should be little more than half the size of the other: to give the pastry a better appearance, they should be fluted.
2. Roll out some of the lightest puff-paste to a half-inch of thickness, and with the larger of the tins cut the number of patties required.
3. Then dip the edge of the small shape into hot water, and press it about half through them.
4. Bake them in a moderately quick oven from ten to twelve minutes.
5. When they are done, with the point of a sharp knife take out the small rounds of crust from the tops, and scoop all the crumb from the inside of the patties.
6. They may then be filled with shrimps, oysters, lobster, chicken, pheasant, or any other of the ordinary varieties of patty meat, prepared with white sauce.
7. Fried crumbs may be laid over them instead of the covers, or these last can be replaced.
8. For sweet dishes, glaze the pastry, and fill it with rich whipped cream, preserve, or boiled custard; if with the last of these, put it back into a very gentle oven until the custards are set.