A vol-au-vent (pronounced [vɔlovɑ̃], French for "windblown", to describe its lightness) is a small hollow case of puff pastry. It was formerly also called a patty case. A vol-au-vent is typically made by cutting two circles in rolled out puff pastry, cutting a hole in one of them, then stacking the ring-shaped piece on top of the disc-shaped piece. The pastry is cooked, then filled with any of a variety of savory or sweet fillings. In France, it is usually served as an appetizer or a small snack, filled with chicken or fish.