Florentine Appetizer Puffs Food

HOLIDAY APPETIZER PUFFS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. , Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Immediately cut a slit in puffs to allow steam to escape. When cool, split puffs open; remove tops and set aside. Discard soft dough from inside. , In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in the remaining filling ingredients. Just before serving, spoon filling into puffs; replace tops.

FLORENTINE CIABATTA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Remove from heat: stir in seasonings. Cool completely., Preheat oven to 400°. Place bread on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, 5-7 minutes on each side. Spread with garlic oil. Top with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers and spinach; sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes longer. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Serve immediately.

PARTY PUFFS

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, bring water and butter to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. , Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets., Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks. Immediately cut a slit in each puff to allow steam to escape; cool completely., In separate bowls, combine the ingredients for egg salad filling and ham salad filling. Split puffs and remove soft dough from inside. Just before serving, spoon fillings into cream puffs; replace tops. Refrigerate leftovers.

FLORENTINE APPETIZER PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease baking sheets. Cook spinach according to package directions; drain well. Transfer to large bowl. Add Parmesan and onion. Blend in eggs. Stir in croutons and butter. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead, covered and frozen. Do not thaw before baking. Just increase baking time to 20-25 minutes.) Arrange on prepared baking sheets, spacing 1/2" apart. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place spinach in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on medium power for 6 minutes. Remove cover and stir. Remove to a strainer and let cool.
• While the spinach is cooking, butterfly the chicken without cutting all the way through. Whisk egg and water together in a small bowl. Unfold pastry sheet and cut down the folds to make 3 equal pieces.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add chicken. Saute until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.
• Squeeze spinach to remove excess water. Combine spinach with garlic, lemon juice, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, thyme, salt, and pepper; mix well.
• Put 1/3 of the spinach mixture in each open chicken breast and top with a 1 slice of provolone cheese. Fold the top of each chicken breast in order to sandwich the spinach and cheese in between. Place each chicken breast on a piece of puff pastry; wrap the pastry around the breast and tuck underneath to seal. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and brush with egg wash.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pastry is golden brown, about 30 minutes.