Bar Nut Palmiers Food

PALMIERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Combine the sugar and kosher salt. Pour 1 cup of the sugar/salt mixture on a flat surface such as wooden board or marble. Unfold each sheet of puff pastry onto the sugar and pour 1/2 cup of the sugar mixture on top, spreading it evenly on the puff pastry. This is not about sprinkling, it's about an even covering of sugar. With a rolling pin, roll the dough until it's 13 by 13-inches square and the sugar is pressed into the puff pastry on top and bottom. Fold the sides of the square towards the center so they go halfway to the middle. Fold them again so the two folds meet exactly at the middle of the dough. Then fold 1 half over the other half as though closing a book. You will have 6 layers. Slice the dough into 3/8-inch slices and place the slices, cut side up, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Place the second sheet of pastry on the sugared board, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar mixture, and continue as above. (There will be quite a bit of sugar left over on the board.) Slice and arrange on baking sheets lined with parchment.
• Bake the cookies for 6 minutes until caramelized and brown on the bottom, then turn with a spatula and bake another 3 to 5 minutes, until caramelized on the other side. Transfer to a baking rack to cool.

PECAN PALMIERS

Steps:

• Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 400 degrees F. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake on the upper rack until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes; let cool completely.
• Mix the butter and vanilla in a small bowl with a rubber spatula until smooth; set aside. Put the pecans, brown sugar, flour and salt in a mini food processor and pulse until finely ground. Spread the turbinado sugar on a work surface and top with the puff pastry. Press to coat the pastry in sugar, then flip the pastry and roll out into a 12-inch square.
• Spread the butter mixture almost to the edge of the pastry, then sprinkle with the pecan mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Using your hands, roll 1 side of the pastry into the center, then roll the opposite side into the center to meet. Trim the ends of the roll.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the dough crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Arrange about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Brush with the beaten egg. Bake until golden, 7 to 10 minutes. Carefully flip the cookies using a thin metal spatula, switch the pans and continue baking until the cookies are crisp and golden, 7 to 10 more minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheets.

WARM BAR NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, remove the pan from the heat and add the thyme. The leaves will sizzle and fry a little. Immediately stir in the peanuts, almonds, pecans and red pepper flakes. Mix to coat with the oil.
• Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and bake until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, stir in the lemon zest and salt and serve immediately?or let cool and then rewarm in a low oven.

SUNNY'S SMOKY BAR NUT MIX

Steps:

• Flavor the oil. In a large pan on medium-low heat, add the olive oil, liquid smoke, rosemary and garlic. Cook until the oil is fragrant and the rosemary is crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove the rosemary to a paper towel-lined plate. Remove and discard the garlic.
• Toast the nuts. First, add the almonds to the pan and stir to coat in the oil, then toss to heat them until a taste of one reveals a tender creamy almond, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the pecans and them cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Finally, add the walnuts and let cook for 5 additional minutes. Each nut takes a different amount of time to toast, so this order is crucial.
• Finish. Add the cranberries to the nut mixture and season with salt and pepper. Crinkle in the rosemary, then use a slotted spoon to remove the mixture to a bowl. Serve warm or chilled.