Creating a slice of heaven in a hurry

We're continuing our student recipes series with a quick and easy ‘SLICE' of paradise that you can rustle up with ease.

Using a ‘cheats pastry' and leftovers from your fridge, you'll look like you spent hours slaving in the kitchen when your friends come round for dinner…when in fact, it's one of those ‘I just threw it together' recipes you'll love.

Easy on the wallet and pretty much flop proof, here's our slice of something nice.

Tuna and chilli slice

Prep: Under 10minutes Cooking time: Under 30 minutes Serves: 4 hungry students

Ingredients

1 x 400 gram roll of regular puff pastry (Spar, Checkers, Pick N Pay, woollies etc. all stock them)

1 x can of tuna in brine, drained and flaked

1 x chilli chopped up (seeds removed if you're worried it will be too hot or left in if you want some ZING)

1 x small can of sweet corn, drained

75 grams of grated cheddar cheese (not Gouda as that becomes stringy when cooked) (If you want to add some pizazz then use Mozzarella)

3 large Tablespoons of Crème Fraiche (or you can substitute with cream cheese)

Method:

Heat your oven up to 200/220 C   Roll out your pastry (fairly flat) and place on a greased baking sheet. Take a fork and prick the pastry all over. Place in the oven and make for 10 to 15minutes. Whilst your pastry is baking, in a bowl mix together the sweetcorn, tuna and chilli. (Throw in onions, peppers or any other veg if the mood takes you) When the pastry is out of the oven, spoon the cream cheese mixture over the centre of the pastry and place the topping from the bowl on top of the cream cheese. Add the cheddar or mozzarella cheese and pop it back in the oven to continue baking for another 10 to 15minutes. Voila!

Variation toppings:

We think that pretty much most leftovers can be used as alternate topping provided they are fresh and the flavours complement each other. Here's our take…

Goats Cheese and Tomato Goats Cheese and caramelised onions Mozzarella and basil pesto Mushrooms and cheese Chorizo and sundried tomato Roasted veggies and feta cheese Parma ham, mushrooms and cheese Left-over cooked roast chicken, tomato and pesto Left-over cooked salmon with roasted peppers.

So with these fun variations and armed with some cheats pastry, make a good looking and tasty savoury tart for you and some friends and wow them with your creativity. Throw in a salad and a refreshing cocktail and you've got the perfect dinner sorted in minutes. Happy cooking!