Step 1

To make puff pastry: Place the flour and salt in a large bowl. Use your fingertips to rub the lard into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Step 2

Add the water and use a round-bladed knife to stir until a dough forms. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until just smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.

Step 3

Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out the dough to a 10 x 30cm rectangle. Place butter between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and tap with a rolling pin to make a 8 x 9cm rectangle. Lay dough on a lightly floured surface with a short edge closest to you. Remove the plastic wrap from the butter and place in the centre of the dough. Fold the end closest to you over the butter, then fold the opposite end over the top (the butter should now be enclosed in the dough).

Step 4

Turn dough 90° clockwise and gently press edges together. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to gently tap to flatten butter. Roll out dough to a 10 x 30cm rectangle and repeat folding process as before. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.

Step 5

Preheat oven to 220°C. Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.

Step 6

Combine the sausage mince, breadcrumbs, egg and sage in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Place the mince mixture in a piping bag fitted with a 2cm-diameter plain piping nozzle.

Step 7

Roll out the pastry to a 30 x 35cm rectangle, about 2mm thick. Use a small sharp knife to trim the edges. Pipe one-third of the mince mixture down the longest edge of the pastry. Roll to enclose and form a log. Cut the log free from the pastry and cut it crossways into 5cm lengths. Place rolls on the lined tray. Repeat with remaining mince mixture and pastry to make 14 more sausage rolls. Brush the top of each sausage roll with the extra egg and sprinkle evenly with sesame seeds.

Step 8

Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden and the sausage mince is cooked though. Serve immediately with tomato sauce, if desired.