If you’re looking for some time-saving cooking hacks this holiday season (and beyond), consider stocking up on some puff pastry. While this ingredient (which you can buy frozen in sheets at the grocery store or make yourself ) can obviously be used to make everything from a blueberry tart […]
Click here to view original web page at www.realsimple.com
If you're looking for some time-saving cooking hacks this holiday season (and beyond), consider stocking up on some puff pastry. While this ingredient (which you can buy frozen in sheets at the grocery store or make yourself) can obviously be used to make everything from a blueberry tart to a batch of chocolate cookies, it's also versatile enough to shine in other dishes, including several savory favorites.
For example, puff pastry can be used as a hassle-free topper for an easy take on chicken pot pie, which is basically the quintessential winter dish, or the base of a vegetable tart with bold and spicy red curry paste.
And if you're looking to save some time in the kitchen this holiday season so you can be with your loved ones instead, puff pastry is the key to a myriad of holiday-approved appetizers, main courses (including breakfast!), and, of course, plenty of desserts.
Keep reading to find out how this inexpensive supermarket staple can save you time this holiday season, and don't shy away from using these recipes after the holidays as well!
Credit: Quentin Bacon
Whether you're hosting a holiday party or getting ready for game day, you can't go wrong with pigs in a blanket. This "fancy" and homemade take on the classic appetizer uses store-bought sausage (feel free to pick your favorite kind) and frozen puff pastry to create an undoubtable crowd-pleaser in 30 minutes.
Credit: José Picayo
These savory pinwheels made with grated Parmesan cheese and sliced scallions work great as a holiday appetizer, but they could also be added to a breakfast spread along with some eggs, or simply enjoyed as a snack.
Credit: JENNIFER CAUSEY
As you may have guessed, this recipe merges pizza and croissants (courtesy of frozen puff pastry) to create a decadent dish that's bound to be a hit whenever you serve it. The result is a buttery, flaky version of pizza filled with marinara sauce, cheese, and pepperoni slices that, dare we say it, might just be better than the real deal.
Credit: Greg DuPree
If you're looking for a recipe that says "I spent hours in the kitchen perfecting this," but really only takes a fraction of that time to throw together, we've found it. This spicy vegetarian tart features a frozen puff pastry base paired with frozen vegetables, (another shortcut!) coconut milk, and red curry paste.
Credit: Romulo Yanes
Not only do these savory turnovers use frozen puff pastry, but they're also filled with shredded rotisserie chicken (which is great if you've got some leftover chicken languishing in the fridge), Gruyère cheese, and frozen peas. The result is a flavorful meal that's ready-to-eat in less than 45 minutes.
Credit: Sang An
Impress your guests with these restaurant-quality tarts. The frozen puff pastry base is elevated by an assortment of mushrooms that have been cooked in white wine, as well as shredded Gruyère cheese. Eat these tarts solo, or serve them with the accompanying side salad made with radishes and a Dijon mustard dressing.
Credit: Jennifer Causey
For a comforting meal that everyone will love, use frozen puff pastry to throw together a tasty chicken pot pie. The hearty dish, which is the perfect weeknight winter meal, is made with a frozen vegetable blend and a rotisserie chicken. It gets its creaminess from a filling combination of heavy whipping cream and chicken broth, and is ready in about 30 minutes.
Credit: David Prince
Meat and potatoes—more specifically sweet potatoes and sautéed ground beef—get an upgrade thanks to a blanket of puff pastry that's been sprinkled with some grated cheddar cheese. Think of this dish as an adult take on Hot Pockets that you won't want to miss.
Credit: Betty Gold
Sure, you can buy packaged cinnamon rolls and pop 'em in the oven, or spend hours making the delicate dough from scratch, but if neither of those options sound appealing, you could use frozen puff pastry instead. By using the frozen dough, you're elevating those supermarket cinnamon rolls without spending half your day in the kitchen. The best part? You're left with a batch of tasty treats after just 30 minutes.
Credit: Greg DuPree
Yes you can make a wreath out of puff pastry, and yes it's delicious. These festive treats are made with roasted salted almonds and a mix of warm spices including nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice.
Credit: Grace Elkus
If you love s'mores, chances are you'll enjoy these marshmallow-chocolate graham hand-pies enclosed in puff pastry. Not only are these pastries tidier than traditional s'mores, they're also a great kid-friendly kitchen activity, and take only 15 minutes to prep.
