Puff Pastry

After years and years of being intimidated of puff pastry and having no clue what so ever what to do with it..... I learned all about it yesterday in culinary school...... I think it has become my new favorite thing!  It is amazing and soooooo yummy!!!!

We made fruit tarts, cream horns, cookies, savory bread straws and puff pastry shells.... plus the filling that goes inside them.  Puff pastry can be used for savory or sweet foods and their possibilities are absolutely endless.  Joe and I host a wine party in February and I already have many of my menu items for the party just from my baking class this term.

The easiest thing to do with puff pastry, and something that any of you can do and present an appetizer that will wow your friends and family at any event, is the bread straws.  All you need is some frozen puff pastry dough, some spices and a touch of water.  That's it!  Let the pastry thaw, but keep it covered so it doesn't dry out.  With a knife, pastry cutter or pizza wheel, cut from the long side of the dough, cut 1/2" -1" strips.  With your finger dipped in water, barely rub some water along the strip and then sprinkle on any seasoning/herbs/spices of your choice.  I did italian seasoning, kosher salt and parmesean cheese (the only savory spices available in class yesterday), but these bread sticks can also be made as a sweet treat by using a mixture of sugar and cinnamon instead of the spices/herbs/seasonings.  Fold the strips together longways (spices/flavorings should be inside the strip and touching each other) then twist the dough, then roll the twisted dough on the counter top between your fingers until it is a long twisted rope shape.  Bake at 400 degrees until done..... approx. 10-15 minutes.  Voila that's it!!!!

They are sooooo amazing you just can't stop eating them.  You can make them with a variety of flavorings to accompany any meal you are serving.  Or you can just make them as an appetizer, snack or hor dourve.  Everyone will think you are brilliant and will think you have slaved all day to make them!

I'm going to stock my freezer with some frozen puff pastry.  I did learn how to make it from scratch and I will make it from scratch as well..... but making it from scratch literally takes a day or two because it involves a lot of rolling, folding and resting in between in the refrigerator.  But having some frozen puff pastry on hand, I can make a quick nibble anytime, which is perfect for when you have unexpected company.  I hope you enjoy this new trick for a quick treat.