Cheese Twists  Ingredients:       1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese    2 teaspoons paprika       1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste    1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water       2 batches Salt, to taste    Faux Puff Pastry single batch       1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour    1/4 teaspoon salt       1/2 teaspoon baking powder    1 cup cold butter       1/4 cup sour cream

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl. Divide Faux Puff Pastry dough in half. Roll 1 half into a 12- x 24-inch rectangle, 1/8 inch thick; brush surface with some of the egg mixture. Sprinkle half of Parmesan mixture evenly over half of the rectangle. Fold other side over to make a 12-inch square. Roll lengthwise until the 2 halves stick together. (You should have a 12- x 13-inch rectangle.) Repeat process with remaining half of dough. 2. Cut rectangles crosswise, using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, into 3/4-inch-wide x 12-inch-long strips. Twist ends of each strip in opposite directions to make a spiral. Place twists on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush tops lightly with egg mixture, then sprinkle with salt. Bake twists at 400° for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Faux Puff Pastry 1. Whisk together first 3 ingredients. Cut in butter with a pastry blender, leaving it in pea-size bits (larger than for a typical piecrust). Stir in sour cream. (Dough will not be cohesive.) Turn onto a floured work surface, and knead gently. 2. Pat into a square, and roll into an 8- x 10-inch rectangle. Dust both sides of dough with flour, fold in thirds (like a business letter), and flip dough over. Turn it 90°, and repeat process. Chill 30 minutes. Other uses for Faux Puff Pastry: Line mini-muffin pans with pastry, fill with quiche ingredients, and bake for appetizers. Follow same technique as above, but fill with jam or preserves for fruit tartlets. Fill 3-inch triangles of pastry with 2 teaspoons of seasoned, cooked ground meat; fold over, pinch closed, and bake. Roll triangles into crescent shapes for flaky dinner rolls. Add a little ham or cheese into wide end of triangle before rolling it up. Roll into a circle and place on top of chicken stew before baking for chicken pot pie. Yield: Makes 12 (4-inch) squares

Categories:  Appetizer, Baked Goods, Baked goods, Bread, Cheese, Side Dish, Side Dishes, stove top

Estimated Serving:  36

Estimated preparation time:  55 min.

Language:  English

Shared by:  Jilly    2010/02/01