Puff Pastry Pull Apart Christmas Tree Food

PUFF PASTRY CHRISTMAS TREE APPETIZER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat.
• Unfold one sheet of puff pastry on top of the parchment paper and spread the pesto sauce all over.
• Unfold the second sheet of puff pastry and place on top of the first sheet of puff pastry. Press gently to seal the two sheets together.
• Cut out puff pastry in the shape of a Christmas tree. Reserve the extra pieces.
• Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut slits on both sides of the tree spacing them about 0.5-inch apart (or about 1,5 cm), leaving the center intact. Then, twist each strip of pastry twice or three times, pressing the ends into the baking sheet. Repeat with the puff pastry leftovers and place on a different baking sheet.
• Brush pastry with egg yolk mixed with milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional).
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden. Allow to cool slightly, and enjoy as a pull-apart appetizer!

CHEESE TWIST CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with a silicone liner (such as Silpat®).
• Roll pastry into a 14-inch square, sprinkling with flour if necessary.
• Cut from the bottom corners up to the center top to make a triangle. Place the triangle on a prepared baking sheet and place in the refrigerator.
• Overlap the long edges of the 2 remaining pieces of pastry by about ½ inch to form a second triangle. Roll to flatten slightly. Place on the second prepared baking sheet and chill until needed.
• Remove the first triangle from the refrigerator. Lift the silicone liner and pastry off the pan and onto the counter. Trim about 1 ½ inches off the bottom of the triangle and cut a 2-inch piece from that strip. Tuck that piece under the triangle to make a trunk.
• Spread all but 1 to 2 tablespoons pesto sauce over the entire triangle, leaving ¼ inch exposed at the edges. Grate most of the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over the pesto. Place the second pastry triangle over top; stretch and pull it to fit, and trim off any extra dough as needed. Lightly press the edges together to seal and pat over the whole surface of the dough.
• Use a pizza wheel to cut ¾-inch horizontal strips on one side of the tree going from the outside edge in to about ¼ to ½ inch from the center; leave the center part connected to form the trunk. As you move up the tree, it may be easier to place the pizza wheel at the trunk and cut out to the edge. Repeat on the other side, lining up the cuts with the first side.
• Lift up each strip and twist 3 to 4 times. As you get up to the shorter pieces near the top, twist as many times as you can, but don't worry if you can't twist the strips at the very top.
• Brush remaining pesto over the center of the tree and any other spots you feel need it. Transfer the silicone liner back onto a baking sheet. Grate remaining cheese over top.
• Bake in the center of the preheated oven until pastry is fully cooked and well browned, 30 to 35 minutes; do not undercook.
• Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 15 minutes before serving.

PUFF PASTRY PULL-APART CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over high heat and cook bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
• Pour off most of the bacon grease. Cook onions in the remaining grease until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add artichokes and season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes. Pour some white wine into the skillet every few minutes and simmer until artichokes are soft, about 15 minutes. Season with dill and remove from heat. Let cool completely.
• Combine bacon, artichoke mixture, and ricotta cheese in a blender; blend until smooth. Season filling with salt and pepper.
• Unroll puff pastry sheet on a flat surface. Cover evenly with the artichoke mixture, leaving 1 inch bare on one of the longer edges. Tightly roll up sheet lengthwise, towards the bare edge, and press ends tightly together. Wrap in plastic wrap and cool in refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Slice stuffed pastry log into 3/4-inch slices so you have 16 to 22 pinwheels. Arrange pinwheels on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree; start with 6 rolls next to each other (or 5 if you only have 16), then continue with shorter rows. Place the last pinwheel on the bottom as the tree trunk. Brush beaten egg yolk onto pinwheels.
• Bake in the preheated oven until puffed up and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven. Decorate with cherry tomato 'Christmas ornaments'.