Fast Puff Pastry Food

QUICK PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour (240 grams / 2 cups) and salt (2 grams / ½ teaspoon).
• Add the cold cubed butter (225 grams / 8 ounces / 2 sticks) to the bowl and toss it throughout the flour.
• Press down on each piece of butter with your fingertips until each one is flattened out. Do not work the butter in as much as you would do with a pie crust. Keep the pieces very large, just flatten them. (see step-by-step pictures in the post).
• When all of the butter has been flattened start adding the ice-cold water a few tablespoons at a time and use your hands to toss the water throughout the mixture. Keep adding the water until most of the flour is moistened and the mixture starts forming large clumps.
• Press the dough together on the counter into a rectangular shape and then wrap in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days.
• After the dough has chilled, flour a work surface and roll the dough out into a skinny rectangle about ½- centimeter or ¼-inch thick.
• Fold the dough over itself in thirds and then rotate the dough 90 degrees to the left. Roll out and fold the dough 3 more times (for a total of 4), always rotating 90 degrees in the same direction between each fold.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate before using it. Ideally, 1 hour is best before rolling it out. The dough can be refrigerated for a total of 48 hours between this chilling time and the first.
• This dough can be wrapped well in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 2 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

QUICK & EASY HOMEMADE PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Using a food processor, fitted with the metal blade, add flour and salt to the bowl, then add 3/4 cup (170 grams) cold butter cut in cubes and pulse until butter is absorbed (about 10 to 12 one second pulses), then add the remaining cold butter (cubed) and pulse two or three times (no more) to combine, add the cold water and pulse four or five times just until the dough comes together to form a ball (really important not to over process).
• On a lightly floured surface place dough and knead lightly approximately 10 times. With a lightly floured rolling- pin (lightly flour the dough so it doesn't stick) roll into a rectangle approximately 12 x 18 inches (30 x 45 centimeters).
• Fold the dough like an envelope (see photos) then fold in half, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 - 2 hours (I left mine in the fridge for two hours).
• Remove from the fridge and on a lightly floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling-pin roll the still folded dough (I cut the dough in two parts, refrigerate the unused dough until needed) into a rectangle (approximately 10 x 14 inches / 25 x 35 cm). I covered the dough with thin slices of cooked ham and sprinkled with shredded cheese.
• Roll up length wise as tight as possible and brush the edges with egg wash to seal. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 20-30 minutes. Unwrap and slice with a sharp knife into 1/4 inch slices. Place on prepared cookie sheet, brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with more cheese, bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until golden. Serve immediately.
• Roll the remaining dough into a large circle, make 8-10 triangles. Place 1-2 slices of pear on the large part of the triangle, top with some chopped walnuts and chocolate chips. Roll up from the large part, place on prepared cookie sheet, brush with egg wash, sprinkle with a little sugar and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until golden. Let cool then dust with powdered / icing sugar. Enjoy.
• In a small bowl mix together Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, set aside. Roll (1/2 or 1/3) the dough into an 1/8" thick oval, sprinkle shredded cheese on the top half of oval, bring up the bottom half to cover the top, brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with parmesan cheese mixture, slice into 1/2 inch strips, twist and place on parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden. Eat warm. Enjoy!
• In a small bowl toss together, sliced apples, brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Roll out the dough into a large rectangle or square 1/8 " thick, then cut into 6-8 squares. Top each square with 2-3 apple slices, brush the edges of the square with egg mixture. Fold over and seal. Brush tops of pastry with the egg wash, sprinkle with sugar and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden. Drizzle with a little frosting if desired.
• In a small bowl beat together the egg and water.

FAST PUFF PASTRY RECIPE

Steps:

• Cut the butter into 1/2-inch cubes. Refrigerate until the cubes are chilled and firm.
• In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add butter, and toss with your fingertips until butter is coated with flour. Add all but about 2 tablespoons of cold water. Mix with a pastry blender or a table fork until an evenly moist but still rough dough forms. Add additional water, if necessary, as you mix the dough if it is not moist enough to hold together when pressed into a ball.
• Cover dough tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until butter in dough is firm but not brittle, about 20 minutes.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface or marble. Roll it into a 12 x 30-inch rectangle approximately 1/2-inch thick.
• Fold dough in thirds like a letter (this is the first of four 3-folds). Turn dough 90 degrees. Roll dough out again to a rectangle as described above, and fold once more (this is the second of four 3-folds). Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Remove dough from refrigerator and, working quickly, continue rolling and folding dough for the third and fourth 3-folds as described above, chilling the dough in between each of these folds for 30 minutes at a time.
• After completing the final 3-fold, wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and allow it to firm under refrigeration for at least 1 hour before using. The dough will last up to one week in the refrigerator or may be frozen for up to two months.

SUPER FAST PUFF PASTRY BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• First preheat your oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a baking sheet.
• On a lightly floured surface, unfold pastry sheets, cutting each sheet into 13 strips, about 3/4 by 10-inches apiece.
• In a shallow dish (pie pan), combine Parm. cheese, basil, and garlic.
• Brush pastry sticks with melted butter.
• Roll pastry in cheese mixture, lightly coating each side.
• Gently twist pastry sticks, and place on a prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 12 minutes.
• Remove to wire racks to cool.