If you’ve never worked with puff pastry, try these immediately! Don’t be afraid, it’s super easy. No matter how many you make, they will all be gone. This recipe makes use of readymade puff pastry. You will find it in the frozen food department of any supermarket. The most readily available brand which I use is Pepperidge Farm.

This recipe uses parmesan cheese, poppy seeds and red chili flakes. But you can substitute seasonings. Try dried oregano or fresh parsley or asiago cheese. You are only limited by your imagination.

I make them ahead and freeze them and bake them straight from freezer just before guests arrive. The house smells amazing and the guests start salivating and immediately ask, “What smells so good?”.

 

 

POPPY SEED PARMESAN CHEESE TWISTS

EVENT: Summer Solstice

SERVES: Yields approximately 20 pieces per puff pastry sheet

 

Ingredients

1 sheet frozen Pepperidge Farm puff pastry, thawed

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese *

1 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Equipment

Parchment paper

Baking sheets

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Mix egg and water. Set aside.

3. Thaw pastry sheets at room temperature for 30 minutes.

4. Unfold pastry on lightly floured surface. Roll into 14X10” rectangle.

5. Brush entire pastry sheet with egg wash.

6. Sprinkle 1/2 of rectangle closest to you with cheese, poppy seeds and chili flakes.

7. Fold top half of dough over bottom which has the cheese, poppy seeds and chili flakes. Gently pat with hand or roll with rolling pin to seal.

8. Using a pizza cutter, cut into 1/2” strips.

9. Twist strips, by holding each end and twisting.

10. Place on parchment lined baking sheets. Brush with egg mixture.

11. Bake at 400 degrees, 10-15 minutes until golden and crisp. Serve warm or at room temperature.

DO AHEAD TIP:  Place baking sheets with unbaked twists in freezer and freeze twists. When frozen solid, remove individual twists from sheet and store in plastic ziplock bags. To serve, remove as many as you like from bag, place on parchment lined baking pan and bake frozen at 425 degrees, 10-15 minutes.

* A NOTE: I purchase the grated Parmesan cheese at Costco and store it in my fridge.