Tips: A wide variety of different types of goat's cheese are available- the creamy log-shaped types without a rind are most suitable for these pastries. Ordinary onions can be used instead of red, if you prefer.

Yield:4

1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy frying pan, add the onions and cook over a gentle heat for 10 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally to prevent them from browning.
   
   
2. Add seasoning to taste and cook for a further 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool.
   
   
3. Preheat the oven to 425`F. Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured board and cut out four rounds, using a 6in plate as a guide.
   
   
4. Place the pastry rounds on a dampened baking sheet and, using the point of a sharp knife, score a border, 3/4in inside the edge of each pastry round.
   
   
5. Divide the cooked onions among the pastry rounds and top with the cubed goat's cheese.
   
   
6. Bake the pastries for 25-30 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and the goat's cheese has melted. Serve immediately, garnished with thyme sprigs, if you like.