Puff Pastry Party

Superbowl Sunday LI is here! Even if you do not like football, it is probably affecting your life right now in some fashion, ie invited to a party, bringing snacks to a party, or having people over as an excuse to party, right?

 

Keep it simple (but delicious) folks with some really easy options from my Appetizers Page including: 

1. Spicy Jalapeno-Cheddar Rollups 
2. Roasted Corn & Jalapeño Dip 
3. Mini-Muffin Snackers       
4. Fried Mozzarella Dippers        
5. Mini Corn Dog Bites
6. Lemony-Artichoke Crostini
7. Bagel & Lox Spread  

That said, there is always room in the recipe box for more great grub like this brilliant recommendation from the Pioneer Woman for puff pastry--use it--easy, inexpensive, versatile, and can be used for savory or sweet consumption! 

Start experimenting and take this to the party today!

Puff Pastry Pizza
(Adapted from The Pioneer Woman Show featuring Puff Pastry)

Equipment:
Cookie Sheet 
Parchment Paper
Rolling Pin
Brush or spoon

Ingredients:
1 package of frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions
1 lb of shredded mozzarella cheese
1-2 eggs with 2 tsp of water, for egg wash

Spices:  oregano / thyme / basil 
Salt & Pepper
Olive oil

A. Toppings Savory

• Canadian Bacon + Pineapple + Jalapeño
• Pepperoni  (Regular or Turkey) + Peperoncini
• Sautéed Mushrooms + Feta or Goat Cheese 
• Fresh Mozzarella + Fresh or Roasted Cherry Tomatoes  + Basil + Balsamic Vinegar
• Fresh Mozzarella + Balsamic Vinegar Syrup

B. Toppings Sweet

• Apricot Jam + Apple Slices + Cinnamon Sugar
• Bake strips of Puff Pastry independently with just cinnamon sugar, then use as stackers with Whipping Cream and Fresh Fruit on top or in between  

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands and preheat oven to 415F degrees.
2. Prep your counter and rolling pin with some flour.

3. Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper
4. Prep all of your ingredients first:

--prep your egg wash
--slice onions, tomatoes
--grate cheese
--dice pineapple
--chop bacon and herbs
--saute mushrooms

5. Unfold your puff pastry and divide into 1/3 strips to roll out a little more
6. Use a knife to gently score a 1/2 inch border around the edge of the pastry dough.
7. Apply a light egg wash.

8. Transfer to the parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake for 7 minutes.
9. Remove from oven and begin layering the toppings as you see fit.

10. Bake another 12-15 minutes until golden brown and puffed up like crazy--relax it will deflate and be delicious!

Tips:

• No Money:
• don't use meat at all
• keep it all veggie--roasted or sautéed or fresh
• buy block of cheese and grate it yourself
• No Waste:
• add any veggies, especially those no longer ideal for raw snacking
• saute the veggies for extra flavor before adding to rice
• No Equipment:
• Skillet--only if making sautéed veggies
• Cookie Sheet with or without rim (can be used for roasting veggies if need)
• Parchment Paper
• Rolling Pin or use a can or PVC pipe
• No Skills:
• review some of my early blogs--How To Saute Mushrooms (can use for onions as well)
• can you use a knife ? To cut thru soft pre-made dough? slice a few pepperoncini or tomatoes?
• if no cooking skills--can you transfer dough from counter to cookie sheet?
• No Health:
• use reduced fat shredded mozzarella
• roast any / all vegetables you might use
• disclaimer: puff pastry is puff pastry and simply not low-cal so eat in moderation
• No Time:
• quick easy appetizer for any group of guests
• virtually any ingredient is an option depending on your flavor profile

Strawberries Delight

Strawberries are simply awesome--stand alone sweet or combined with other flavors--these little bites make for an easy snack or light dessert! In other words, ideal for college cooking and college living especially when the farmer's markets start opening for business. Try seeing which fruits you can get during prime season to make your meals (and eating) bursting with flavor (and nutrition).

The recipe I am posting below was listed on the last page of Cooking Light May 2016 edition--almost like a side note or after-thought or space-filler--but what an idea for anyone trying to keep desserts simple, clean and healthy without sacrificing deliciousness and cravings. 

Additionally, this hidden gem of a recipe identified a simple way to ensure common leftover ingredients like low-fat sour cream do not go to waste, but instead, get incorporated as a component to making your fruit salad "sing"--multi-use in other words!  Add a few small chocolate chip cookies and you are good to go!

(Adapted from Cooking Light May 2016 edition. 

Would recommend less sugar when the berries are sweet...maybe none at all!)

Strawberry Delight

Equipment:

Large bowl 

Paring knife

Mixing bowl

Whisk

Ingredients:

1 lb of rinsed, hulled and quartered strawberries

3 Tbls of sugar or use Vanilla Agave syrup

1/2 tsp grated orange rind

2-3 Tbls of orange juice

1-2 basil or mint leaves, finely chopped (optional)

Dipping Sauce:

7 Tbls reduced-fat sour cream or greek yoghurt

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 Tbls sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands and the strawberries. 

2. Prep your fruit.

3. Add sugar, orange rind and orange juice to the strawberries. Let stand x 20 min.

4. Prep your dipping sauce by combining sour cream, whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla.

5. Add a few cookies, like Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chips from Crunchy Cookies.

6. Enjoy the sun in your mouth today!

No Resolution Cinnamon Popovers

Anything that is simple to make and delicious to eat I just have to post--New Year's Resolutions or not! If nothing else, keep this awesome breakfast treat for a special occasion...like Lincoln's Birthday or tomorrow morning! 

A perfect recipe for college (or no-skill) cooking requiring little equipment and only a few basic ingredients. This came to me by way of a great suggestion from my sister-in-law after discovering these sumptuous, melt-in-your-mouth, cinnamon popovers from foodblogger JoyTheBaker.com!!

If your New Year's resolutions include making the world a better place or making someone happy...you just found your solution! Try these out this week, then hand them out immediately, and you can be certain you have played a part in changing this world for the better!

Cinnamon Popovers 4 College Cooking

Equipment:

12-count Regular Muffin Tin, sprayed with non-stick spray

Pam Spray

Mixing Bowls

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 Tbls granulated sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Toppings:

6 Tbls butter, melted and set aside

Cinnamon Sugar = 1/2 cup sugar + 3/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Preheat the oven to 450F degrees.
3. Melt butter and make cinnamon sugar. Set aside.
4. Whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract x 2 minutes.

5. Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.
6. Add dry ingredients to milk and eggs mixture. Whisk until smooth.

7. Divide the batter evenly in the muffin tin to about half-way.

8. Bake x 12 minutes at 450F degrees, and then another 12 minutes at 350F degrees.
(Mine were too over done using 15 minute intervals)

DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR UNTIL JUST BEFORE YOU PULL THEM OUT!

9. Drizzle the melted butter over each popover followed with cinnamon sugar.

Soft. Light. Airy. Delicious. Comfort Food.
Save the world! Make someone smile today!

3 Step Coconut Macaroons

Need some sugar in your life quickly? A backup dessert? Or something to take to dinner? Say no more! 3 Steps, that's it!

Check it out!

(Adapted from Fresh Flavor Fast / Martha Stewart cookbook)

3 Step Coconut-Lime Macaroons

Equipment:

Baking sheets

Parchment paper

Mixing bowl

Handmixer

Ingredients:

3 large eggwhites

14 oz shredded, sweetened coconut

1/2 cup sugar (I use 1/3 cup)

Pinch of salt

Optional: 

1-2 tsp zest of lime

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Preheat oven to 350F.
3. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Borrow a hand mixer with adequate power to beat egg whites.

5. Step 1: Whisk together egg whites, sugar, and salt until foamy and frothy.
6. Step 2: With a fork, stir in coconut (and zest if using).
7. Step 3: Form small peaked mounds of batter on the baking sheet. 

8. Bake @ 350F x 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

9. Once they are done, cool on wire rack (if you have one).

10. Dip in chocolate sauce for extra flair and goodness. Use Boston Cupcake recipe.