Puff pastry dough is a staple in some home kitchens. While it is a temperamental dough and breaks easily, it also adds moisture to dishes because it keeps the natural juices trapped inside. If you only use puff pastry for desserts, you are missing out on some great recipes.
The following puff pastry recipes give you new ways to use the pre-made dough for holidays and entertaining.
Chocolate Purse
Thaw the puff pastry until it feels pliable and flexible in your hands. Lay the sheet of dough on your workspace and roll into a 12-14 inch square. In the center of the dough, add eight ounces of chocolate chips, ½ cup chopped nuts, and a splash of coffee liquor.
Butter the edges of the pastry with melted butter and lift the edges towards the center. Twist the edges together and brush with more melted butter. Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes. When you cut into the center, the chocolate and nuts ooze out in a delightful way.
Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington is an impressive dish that sounds scarier than it actual is for home cooks. For a simple Beef Wellington, you need a six-ounce tenderloin steak. Sear the steak on both sides over high heat and set to one side.
Mix ¼ pound liverwurst with ¼ cup diced green onion and one tablespoon parsley. Place the steak on a sheet of thawed puff pastry. Cover the sides and top of the steak with the liverwurst mixture and wrap the pastry around the steak. Bake at 450°F for 25 minutes or longer, depending on how rare you like your meat.
Puff Pastry Brie
Puff pastry wrapped around Brie cheese is a classic recipe. Cut a 16-ounce wheel of Brie through the center horizontally. Place the bottom of the Brie on a sheet of thawed puff pastry dough.
Top the cheese with ¼ cup toasted walnuts, pecans, or almonds and sprinkle with ¼ cup chopped parsley. Lay the other cheese half on top. Wrap the puff pastry around the Brie and brush with a beaten egg. Bake in a 400°F oven for ten minutes and serve warm.
Appetizer Recipes
Grease a muffin or cupcake pan and cut the puff pastry dough into small squares. Press each square into the cups of the pan, creating small cups of dough. Bake for five to ten minutes in a 400°F oven, until the pastry is golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.
Pop out the individual puff pastry cups and fill with your favorite appetizers. Tuna salad and seafood salad are just a few dishes that work with the puff pastry. You can even use the cups as serving vessels for sauces and sliced vegetables.
Jennifer Eblin - Jennifer Eblin received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Dayton before re-enrolling and finishing a B.A. in History. During ...
