Since the pastry dough is commonly used in desserts, this book highlights some of the many desserts it can be incorporated into as well as snacks, dinner and lunch ideas.
Using puff pastry in making your meals can come in handy if you enjoy the flaky soft dough it produces. You can also save a lot of money by using puff pastry to create meals such as casserole or pot pies. Puff pastry is versatile as it can turn a simple meal into a full entre.
If you truly enjoy using puff pastry in creating meals then by no means will you be disappointed with this book. This book will open your eyes to the many ways in which you can use puff pastry to create meals that you can be proud of. Not only will you be proud of these meals but you will enjoy each and every one. Go ahead grab your copy and get creative with your puff pastry!
French Vanilla Slices
Another name for French vanilla slices is Mille-feuilles and it is made from using puff pastry to sandwich cream, jam and/or custard. The flavors of the dessert can be easily adjusted so as to incorporate bolder flavors into the mix.
Serves:
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- Milk (2 cups)
- Egg yolks (6)
- Flour (7 tablespoons)
- Frozen puff pastry (17.5 oz.)
- Vanilla bean (1 whole)
- Apricot preserves (1/2 cup)
- Castor sugar (3/4 cup)
- Confectioners sugar
- Salt
Directions:
1. Bring milk to a boil in a saucepan then put in vanilla bean. Remove from heat and allow to cool until warm.
2. Combine sugar, yolks, flour and salt in another saucepan then slowly add warm milk and whisk to combine. Cook over a medium low flame until mixture thickens, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Put custard in a bowl and cool, stirring occasionally.
3. Set oven to 400F. Lay pastry sheet in a 14*17 baking sheet about half inch thick. Use a fork to poke dough all over.
4. Bake for 28 minutes then take from oven and cool.
5. Take cooled pastry from baking sheet and cut into 3 (5 wide strips). Use custard to top strip then add another strip on top and top with jam then top with a third strip and use confectioners sugar to dust.
6. Cut into 8 pieces and serve.
Tomato Soup in Puff Pastry
Impress your guests at your next dinner party with this attractive elegant display. This creamy soup is rich in texture and bold in taste and accompanied by a warm golden puffed topping.
Serves:
Preparation Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- Butter (1/2 cup, unsalted)
- Garlic (6 cloves)
- Black peppercorns (1/2 tablespoon, whole)
- Tomato paste (1/2 cup)
- Canned Tomatoes (14.5 oz., diced)
- Salt
- Egg (1)
- Water (1 tablespoon)
- Onion (1, sliced)
- Bay leaf (1)
- Fresh thyme (1 tablespoon, chopped)
- Canned Whole tomatoes (29 oz., peeled)
- Heavy cream (2 cups)
- Puff pastry (1 pack)
Directions:
1. Heat a large soup pot and melt butter then add garlic, peppercorns, onion, thyme and bay leaf. Cook for 5 minutes with pot covered. Put in tomato paste and lightly toast then add in whole tomatoes, stir and cook for 30-40 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for 2 hours or put in fridge overnight.
2. Set oven to 450F. Put soup into 6 heat resistant bowls or ramekins. Combine egg with water and use to coat pastry dough. Place coated side of dough over soup bowls; avoid making the dough touch the soup. Pull dough tight over bowl and press to seal.
3. Use egg mixture to coat tops of dough and bake for 10-15 minutes until puff pastry is golden. Leave in oven for a few minutes then serve.
Puff Pastry Salmon
You can have a full meal ready in minutes with this salmon-pesto blend. Wrap fresh salmon in pastry puff along with spinach and pesto and bake for a few minutes.
Serves:
Preparation Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- Salmon filets (2, boneless)
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon)
- Frozen puff pastry (1 pack)
- Spinach leaves (6 oz.)
- Seasoned salt
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon)
- Pesto (1/3 cup)
Directions:
1. Set oven to 375F.
2. Use garlic powder, onion powder and salt to season fish. Lay pastry sheet on a leveled floured surface and use half of spinach to put onto sheets then top with filets, add pesto and rest of spinach. Use a bit of water to moisten edges and fold to middle and seal.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes until pastry is puffy and salmon is thoroughly cooked.
Shrimp Scampi Cheesecake Appetizer
These individual cheesecake cups have a special ingredient that makes them stand out. They are creamy and decadent and an excellent addition to your dinner parties.
Serves:
Preparation Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon)
- Garlic (6 teaspoons, diced)
- Puff pastry (12 shells, baked)
- Cream cheese (24 oz., soft)
- Heavy cream (1/2 cup)
- Salt (2 teaspoons)
- Onion (1)
- Shrimp (1 lb., deveined and peeled)
- Butter (4 tablespoons)
- Eggs (4)
- Smoked Gouda (16 oz., shredded)
Directions:
1. Set oven to 350F.
2. Heat oil in a skillet and saut garlic and onion for 3-5 minutes until onions are soft and clear. Remove from heat and put aside to cool; discard excess liquid and put onion and garlic aside.
3. Slice shrimps in half, reserving a dozen whole shrimps for garnish. Heat skillet and melt butter, return garlic and onion to pot along with shrimp; cook for 2-4 minutes or until shrimp is thoroughly cooked. Put whole shrimp aside.