Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer Food

SAVORY PUFF PASTRY CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine sun-dried tomato pesto and goat cheese in a small bowl and stir well.
• Unroll 1 puff pastry sheet onto the prepared baking sheet. Cut away 2 strips at the bottom of the sheet to form a tree trunk, about 1 inch wide and tall. Cut diagonally to the top of the puff pastry sheet to create a long triangular shape, removing excess pastry on either side.
• Spread a thin layer of the pesto mixture over the pastry, all the way to the sides. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon Pecorino-Romano cheese on top.
• Roll up the second puff pastry sheet and place at the tip of the triangle. Unroll carefully towards the bottom. Press down lightly and carefully cut away the sides to match the first triangle. Remove excess pastry.
• Cut 2/3-inch thick branches into the sides of the triangle from both sides, leaving a space lengthwise in the center all the way from the trunk to the tip. Twist the branches away from you, trying to get in 2 turns on the lower branches. Continue moving up the tree, twisting away from you as you go.
• Brush the entire tree with beaten egg. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon of Pecorino-Romano cheese and dried oregano.
• Bake in the preheated oven until deep golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet slightly.

SPINACH AND RICOTTA PUFF PASTRY CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat and saute onions until soft and translucent. Add spinach, salt, and pepper and briefly saute while stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes.. Cover and cook until spinach is wilted, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove lid after 5 minutes and allow cooking liquid to evaporate. Remove from stove and cool completely.
• Chop spinach mixture and combine with ricotta and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
• Roll out puff pastry sheet and evenly cover with spinach-cheese mixture to within 1/2 inch of the edges. Tightly roll up sheet lengthwise and press edges tightly together. Wrap in plastic wrap and cool in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Slice pastry log into 3/4-inch slices so you have 16 to 22 pinwheels. Lay puff pastry pinwheels in the shape of a Christmas tree. The lowest row should consist of 6 pinwheels the second row 5 pinwheels, etc. If you end up with 16 pinwheels, start with 5 pinwheels in the lowest row. Place the last wheel on the bottom to make the stem. Brush with egg.
• Bake in preheated oven until wheels are lightly browned and puffed up, 20 to 25 minutes. Decorate with cherry tomatoes for Christmas tree ornaments.

PUFF PASTRY CHRISTMAS TREES

Steps:

• Thaw pastry sheets at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400º F.
• Unfold 1 pastry sheet on lightly floured surface.
• Cut 4 stars (or any shape appropriate for the occasion)of each size.
• Use 3 star cookie cutters in graduated sizes (2-inch, 2½-inch, and 3-inch cookie cutters or Cardboard patterns).
• Repeat with remaining pastry sheet.
• Place stars on baking sheets.
• Bake 10 minutes or until golden.
• Remove from baking sheets and cool on wire rack.
• To assemble trees:.
• Top large star pastry with 1 teaspoon pudding/curd.
• NOTE:.
• If using pudding you might want to use pistachio, or tint vanilla or cheesecake flavor green.
• Top with medium star pastry, turning star so points do not line up.
• Top with 1 teaspoon pudding/curd and place small star pastry on top, turning so points do not line up.
• Repeat with remaining star pastries, making 8 trees.
• Drizzle trees with honey.
• Sprinkle with green sugar (or color of your choice) and top each with a raspberry or cherry half.
• NOTE: Obviously there are many variations of this, fitting many occasions. Change the jelly; pudding for lemon curd; etc.