Herb and Garlic Spirals

Para versão Portuguesa clique aqui: "Espirais de Alho e Ervas"

2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped

2 tbsp chives, finely chopped

2 tbsp mint, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1 sheet puff pastry

Preheat oven to 200ºC. In a bowl combine herbs, garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Spread herb mixture over puff pastry surface and roll it up. Cut slices about 1cm thick and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.

Apple Roses

Para versão Portuguesa clique aqui: “Rosas de Maçã”

Lately the web has been swarmed with images of apple roses. I decided to try them myself and they’re not as difficult to make as they may seem. I don’t use jam or jelly. I prefer sugar, butter and cinnamon. Here goes:

1 rectangular sheet puff pastry

2 tbsp lemon juice

4 tbsp water

2 red apples

2 tbsp butter

½ cup brown sugar

½ tsp cinnamon

Pour water and juice into a bowl. Wash the apples thoroughly as they will not be peeled. Cut the apples in half lengthwise and remove core.

Slice finely and place in bowl with lemon juice and water. Microwave the apples for 2 minutes, turning them over every 15 seconds. The apple slices should be flexible but not soft.

In a small bowl mix together sugar, butter and cinnamon until creamy.

Pre-heat oven to 200ºC.

Lay out the sheet and cut across into 6 equal strips. Spread the center of the strip with sugar mixture. 

Lay apple slices overlapped on the upper part of the strip and slightly beyond the edge. Fold lower part of the strip over covering half the slices.

Starting on one end roll the dough to form the rose. Place the rose in a paper cup and then in a muffin pan. Place pan in the oven and bake for 35 minutes.

Remove from pan while still hot or they might stick to the pan. If they’re too sticky place them in another paper cup.

Apple in Puff Pastry Braid

Para versão Portuguesa clique aqui: Trança de Maçã Folhada

3 cups apples cut in small cubes

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ tsp cinnamon

1 nut butter

2 tbsp flour

1 round sheet of puff pastry

Milk for brushing

Sugar for sprinkling

Place the apple, sugar, cinnamon and butter in a small pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, just to soften the apples. Remove from heat. Sprinkle flour over the apples and mix well. Pre-heat oven to 190ºC. 

Spread the puff pastry and place apple mixture in the middle in a rectangular shape. Using a sharp knife, cut the sides of the pastry into strips in equal number on both sides. Beginning from the tips, fold the pastry over the apple mixture. Then, taking one strip at a time, give it a twist and place it over to the other side. 

Continue with the other strips overlapping them to make a braid. Brush braid with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Place in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden and crispy.