Pesto Pastry Stars Food

3-INGREDIENT PESTO STAR BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500F. Lightly grease or line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
• Lightly sprinkle flour over a cutting board, then use a rolling pin to roll out the first ball of dough until it's about 1/2″ thick. Transfer to the baking sheet. Repeat with other ball of dough, but keep it on the cutting board for now.
• Spread a layer of pesto evenly over the base layer of dough, leaving a 1/2″ edge around the rim. Place the second circle of dough on top, lining the edges up as much as possible. Use your fingers to "pinch the two ends together
• Place a small round object in the center of the dough to prevent cutting all the way through out. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into 16 equal pieces. I find it's easiest to do this by first cutting the dough into quarters, then each fourth into 4 more even pieces.
• Create 8 pairs of two adjacent strips of dough. Holding one strip in each hand, twist the strips outward from each other 2-3 times, then join them together at the end and pinch the "tip." Repeat with the remaining strips of dough - see the blog post video or photos for more help.
• Brush the top of the dough with oil, then place on the top rack of the oven and bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until fluffy and golden on top. Serve immediately and enjoy warm; leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or frozen and reheated as necessary.

PESTO TWISTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°., Unfold puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Roll each sheet into a 12-in. square. Spread pesto onto 1 pastry sheet to within 1/4 in. of edges. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with remaining pastry, pressing lightly. Cut into twelve 1-in.-wide strips. Twist each strip 4 times. Place 2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets, pressing down ends., Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

BASIC PESTO

Steps:

• Combine basil leaves, pine nuts or walnuts and garlic in a food processor and process until very finely minced.
• With the machine running slowly dribble in the oil and process until the mixture is smooth.
• Add the cheese and process very briefly, just long enough to combine. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

PESTO PASTRY STARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to moderately hot (400°F - 205°C - Gas Mark 6).
• Combine butter and pesto in small bowl. Spread pesto mixture over pastry sheets, sprinkle with cheese.
• Using a 5.5 cm cutter, cut stars from pastry sheets, place onto lightly oiled oven trays.
• Bake, uncovered, for about 10 minutes or until puffed and browned, cool.