Serves: 6

• Ingredients

a 1-inch piece vanilla bean split lengthwise
1 tablespoon sugar
a pinch cinnamon
1/2-pound frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed
4 plums, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
6 fresh apricots, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
3 tablespoons apricot jam, melted, strained, and kept warm
vanilla ice cream as an accompaniment if desired

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean with a knife into a small bowl, discarding pod, and stir in sugar and cinnamon.
On a lightly floured surface roll out pastry 1/8 inch thick and drape pastry over tart pan, pressing dough gently onto pan.
On pastry arrange plum and apricot slices, overlapping them slightly, in rows and sprinkle with sugar mixture.
Bake tart in middle of oven until pastry is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
Cool tarts on a rack and brush with jam. Serve tarts warm with ice cream.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 pound puff pastry sheet, thawed
1/2 pound Swiss cheese
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
12 asparagus spears, cooked crisp
1 egg, beaten

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Roll puff pastry sheet on a floured work surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Cut into 4-inch squares.
Cut cheese into fingers about the size of asparagus spears.
Spread each pastry dough evenly with mustard.
Lay an asparagus spear and a strip of cheese on each pastry square. Roll them up, seal and place seam side down on a buttered baking sheet. Brush rolls with beaten egg.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until pastry is brown and cheese is melted

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons whipping cream
9 fresh apricots, halved, pitted, or 18 canned apricot halves in extra light syrup well drained
1 9-ounce sheet frozen puff pastry thawed

• preparation

Preheat to 425°F. Combine 1/2 cup sugar if using canned apricots (or 3/4 cup sugar if using fresh apricots) and 2 tablespoons water in heavy small saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves.
Increase heat and boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber, about 8 minutes.
Add butter and cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir over low heat until any caramel bits are dissolved. Immediately pour caramel into nonstick 10-inch-diameter ovenproof skillet; swirl to cover bottom of skillet. Carefully place apricot halves, rounded side down, tightly together atop caramel.
Roll out puff pastry sheet on lightly floured surface to 12 1/2-inch square.
Using 12-inch tart pan bottom or platter as guide, cut pastry into 12-inch round. Place puff pastry round atop apricots in skillet.
Gently press down pastry around apricots at edge of skillet.
Bake tart until pastry is puffed and deep golden, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven; cool 1 minute.
Cut around edge of pastry to loosen. Place large rimmed platter atop skillet.
Using oven mitts as aid, hold skillet and platter tightly together and invert, allowing tart and syrup to fall onto platter.
Carefully lift off skillet. Rearrange any apricots that may have become dislodged. Serve warm.

Serves: 6

Serve with a simple tossed salad or grilled asparagus.

• Ingredients

1 pound frozen butter puff pastry, thawed
1 tsp (5 mL) olive oil
450 g spring bulb onions, trimmed and sliced
2 tbsp (30 mL) balsamic vinegar
2 tsp (10 mL) liquid honey
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper
1 tsp (5 mL) chopped fresh thyme
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp (30 mL) whipping cream 35%
1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard
1-1/4 cups (300 mL) shredded Gruyère or Comté cheese

• preparation

Unroll puff pastry; press into fluted 9-inch (23 cm) tart pan with removable bottom. Line with foil; fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake on bottom rack in 400 F (200 C) oven for 20 minutes. Remove weights and foil; let cool in pan on rack.

Meanwhile, in skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook onions, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water; reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until no liquid remains and onions are soft, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Stir in vinegar, honey and half each of the salt and pepper; cook, stirring, until onions are dark golden, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 tsp of the thyme. Set aside.

Stir together egg, cream, mustard, and remaining salt and pepper. Sprinkle bottom of pastry with half of the Gruyère or Comté cheese; top with onion mixture. Pour egg mixture over top; sprinkle with remaining cheese and thyme.

Bake in 400 F (200 C) oven until crust is golden and knife inserted in centre comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 puff pastry sheet, store-bought
1 egg, whisked
A handful of finely chopped parsley
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
A heaping tablespoon crème fraiche or sour cream, or cream cheese
A dozen artichoke hearts, jarred ones
1 to 2 tablespoons capers
1 Serrano pepper, thinly sliced
Lemon zest
Basil or cilantro
Salt and pepper
Shaved Parmesan

• preparation

1. Preheat the oven at 400°F or 205°C.
2. Roll the pastry sheet to 0.5 cm or 1/4 inches. Trim the pastry into a 12 x 9 inch rectangle (or 30 x 23 cm). Sketch a border around the pastry using your knife. You can layer the excess dough over the borders and create a rim for the dough.
3. Brush the edges of the pastry with egg. Combine the mozzarella, ricotta, parsley, crème fraiche, remaining egg (from brushing the pastry), salt and pepper in a bowl.
4. Spread the cheese filling all over the pastry. Arrange the artichoke hearts, Serrano peppers, and capers on top, and bake for 25-30 minutes. You can broil the tart for 2 mins at the end.
5. Finish off the tart with shaved Parmesan, cilantro, and lemon zest on top.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 pounds cooked spinach, chopped
to taste salt, pepper, grated nutmeg
5 ounces butter
1 cup heavy cream
12 puff pastry fleurons (crescent-shaped puff pastry)

• preparation

In a saucepan, heat the spinach with butter. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Meanwhile, boil the cream until it is reduced to half. Arrange spinach in a dome on serving platter.
Pour cream over. Surround with fleurons. Serve hot.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 pound puff pastry dough
2 pounds fresh figs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
8 4-inch round tart molds
Garnish with whipped cream

• preparation

Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
Cut 8 5-inch pastry circles, and line molds with the circles. Prick dough with a fork and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Cut the figs in 3/8 inch slices. Arrange the slices slightly overlapping on the pastry rounds so that they just reach the edge of the pastry.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar evenly over each tart and dot the top with butter.
Bake until the pastry is thoroughly browned and the surface of the figs is lightly caramelized, 20 25 minutes.
Serve warm with whipped cream.

Serves: 6

This is traditionally eaten around Epiphany in France, where you can get it in all bakeries. A small porcelaine figure (the 'fève') is placed in the frangipane and the person who gets it becomes king and wears a paper crown

• Ingredients

1 pound puff pastry

Filling
4 ounces ground almonds
4 ounces icing sugar
4 ounces butter at room temperature
4 large eggs
2 oz flour
1 tablespoon dark rum
1/4 cup slivered almonds

1 fève (optional)

• preparation

For the filling: Combine the ground almonds, sugar and butter until smooth.
Add three of the eggs, flour and rum: mix until combined.
Stir in slivered almonds.
Preheat oven 375°F (190°C).

To assemble, divide the dough into two equal parts.
Roll out one part to form a 10 inch circle and place on a baking sheet.
Spread the filling on the pastry leaving a rim, about half an inch wide, all the way around. Put in a porcelaine figure (feve) if you have one. Brush the rim with egg.
Roll out the rest of the dough to form a 9 inch circle. Place on top of the filling.
Pinch together the pastry at the edges, making sure that it is well sealed. Brush the top with the remaining egg. Make a few slits in the center of the pastry.
Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
Serve warm.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

3- 1-pound packages frozen puff pastry
Flour for rolling

For the mushrooms:
2 large Portobello mushrooms
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
salt and pepper

For the onions:
3 tablespoons butter
3 medium onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup red wine
salt and pepper

For the spinach and cheese:
1 cup cooked chopped spinach
6 ounces blue cheese
For the beef:
6- 5 to 6 ounce center-cut beef tenderloins
salt and pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

• preparation

Prepare the pastry and fillings:
The frozen puff pastry usually comes in sheets.
Two in each 1-pound package. Thaw pastry. Unwrap each sheet. Sit a 10-inch round cake pan on pastry.
With a sharp knife, cut out pastry sheets into 10-inch rounds. Lightly score a 4 by 3-inch rectangle in the center of each pastry round. Do not cut through the pastry.
Extend the lines of the rectangle and cut out the corners as shown in sketch.
Use scraps to cut out 12 leaves or other shapes to use as decoration. Layer the pastry rounds between sheets of wax paper.
For the mushrooms:
Slice the portobello into strips. Heat a heavy skillet over high heat. Add oil, garlic, mushrooms, thyme and rosemary.
Stir until mushrooms are brown. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl.
For the onions:
Melt butter in a heavy skillet. Add onion and cook over low heat until onion are caramelized, stirring occasionally. Add Sherry wine and cook until pan is dry. Season with salt and pepper.
Set aside to cool.
For the fillets:
Heat a heavy skillet over high heat. Add oil and sear fillets 3 minutes on each side.
Season with salt and pepper. Transfer fillets to a plate. Refrigerate until ready to use.
For the sauce:
Pour 1 cup red wine in skillet. Cook for 5 minutes. Stir a package of brown sauce mix in cold water. Pour in skillet with wine. Whisk until thickened. Set sauce aside.
Assemble the wellingtons:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line the prepared pastries on a work surface.
Spread half of the well drained spinach over center of pastries. Divide blue cheese and well drained onions into six equal portions and spread over spinach.
Top with fillet, mushrooms and remaining spinach. Fold each side panel onto top to seal the content of pastry.
Turn the packages and arrange on a baking sheet seam side down. Decorate with pastry cut outs Brush pastries with a beaten egg.
Bake in for about 20 minutes or until the internal temperature is at 110 degrees. Be sure that the tip of the thermometer is inserted in the center of the package.
Set cooked wellingtons aside no longer than 10 minutes. The sealed fillets continue to cook out of the oven.
Cut each wellington in half. Arrange on warm plates and serve immediately.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

For the sauce:
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon Calvados
Pears:
4 small bartlet pears, peeled (About 5 oz each)
4 teaspoons red currant jelly
1 pound puff pastry sheets
1 egg yolk, beaten for glaze
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

• preparation

For the sauce:
Stir sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
Increase heat and boil until syrup turns deep-amber color. Remove from heat.
Carefully stir in cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Cool. Stir in calvados. (can be made 1 or 2 days ahead.) Cover and chill.
For pears:
Cut off top of 1½ inches from stem end of the pears and reserve.
Core each pear through top, leaving bottom intact. Spoon 1 teaspoon jelly into hole of each pear. Replace stem end.
Roll out puff pastry about ¼ inch thick. Cut out 4 8-inch rounds and 4 2-inch rounds.
Place pear in center of each 8-inch pastry round. Gather pastry around each pear and pinch pastry to hold in place. Brush pastry with egg glaze.
Make hole in center of each 2-inch pastry round. Fit 1 round over stem of each pear to form top.
Press firmly against pastry bottom to seal.
Brush pastry top with egg glaze. Cut out 4 small leaves from pastry scraps. Brush with egg and place 1 leaf just below stem of each pear.
Refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter baking sheet.
Place pears on sheet and bake until pastry is golden brown, about 25 min.
Rewarm caramel sauce, stirring frequently. Spoon sauce over 4 plates.
Place hot pear in center of each plate. Serve with scoops of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Serves: 5

Originally, this pastry was designed by Giuseppe Battistini, pastry chef at the Hôtel de Paris, on the occasion of Prince Albert's baptism on April 20, 1958. With its plate of caramelized puff pastry, diplomat cream and strawberry carpaccio topped with vanilla syrup, Prince Albert millefeuille is a delicacy that the Grimaldis never tire of.

• Ingredients

Caramelized puff pastry

1 pound puff pastry
2 tbsp powdered sugar

Diplomat Pastry Cream
2 cups milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
pinch of salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon instant vanilla pudding

1-1/2 lbs fresh strawberries, sliced
Powdered sugar, for dusting the top
Icing
65 g (1/2 cup) icing sugar
2 teaspoons of water
1 oz (30 g) dark chocolate

• preparation

1. Prepare the Diplomat cream.
Whisk the egg yolks and sugar until slightly pale. Incorporate the cornstarch and salt.
2. Pour the milk into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Pour about a third of the hot milk over the egg yolks mixture. Pour the whole mixture into the saucepan over the milk. Bring to a boil while stirring. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
Pour the cream into a clean bowl and allow to cool for 10 minutes then incorporate the butter while stirring. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent forming a skin on the surface. Refrigerate until chilled. Whip the cold heavy cream with vanilla pudding to medium peaks.Fold a few spoonfuls of the custard into the cream. Gradually add the rest of the custard.
3.
4. Preheat the oven to 330F (165C). Butter a baking sheet and line with parchment paper.
5. On a floured surface roll out the puff pastry dough to a rectangle of 1/10 inch (2mm) thickness.
6. Using the rolling pin transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. Prick the dough with the fork and cover with another sheet of parchment paper. Place another baking sheet on top to prevent the dough from puffing too much.
7. Bake for about 25-30 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
8. Preheat the oven to 465F 240C .
9. To caramelize the pastry, sprinkle about 1 tbsp of powdered sugar, in a thin layer over the baked pastry. Bake for few minutes using the broil function until the sugar is melted.
10. Caramelize the other side of the puff pastry too.
11. When chilled trim the edged and cut the puff pastry in 3 rectangles.
12. Assemble the millefeuille. Place one layer of caramelized puff pastry on the serving plate. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip with pastry cream. Spread pastry cream over the top and add strawberries. Place another layer of puff pastry on top of the filling. Add pastry cream, raspberries and the last layer of pastry.

Icing
9. In a bowl, combine the sugar and water. Reserve.
Glaze the top of the millefeuille.
Place the chocolate in a bowl. Melt in the microwave. Shape a small cone out of parchment paper and place the melted chocolate in it. Cut off the tip of the cone.
9. Draw straight lines on the frosting, then slide a knife in opposite directions to form marbled patterns.

13.Allow to chill in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight before cutting it for serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
The original Diplomat cream calls for gelatin. Adding a teaspoon of instant vanilla to the cream before whipping helps to stabilize the cream and adds a vanilla flavor.

Serves: 8

Also known as Pig's ears or elephant ears (over-sized palmiers).

• Ingredients

1 pound puff pastry dough (2 rectangle sheets)
1 tablespoon soft butter
1/2 cup superfine sugar

• preparation

Thaw the puff pastry if frozen. Roll one sheet of dough on a lightly floured work surface to 1/4-inch thick. Spread butter over surface of pastry.
Sprinkle with one half of the sugar. Roll second pastry sheet to the same size as first. Place on top of first. Sprinkle remaining sugar over whole surface.
Fold as sketched bringing the ends to within 3/4 inch of each other. Repeat this folding as shown.
Slice into 1/4-inch- thick "palm leaves". Put leaves on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 15 minutes. Turn cookies over with a spatula.
Continue baking until golden brown. Transfer palmiers on a rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.

Serves: 12

The Portuguese Pastel De Nata custard are caramelized custard in flaky golden brown puff pastry.

• Ingredients

1/3 cup all-purpose flour (40 g)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups of whole milk (350 ml)
1 1/3 cups white sugar (265 g)
1/3 cup water (80 ml)
6 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
1 cinnamon stick
1 lemon peel only, cut into strips
1 sheet pre-rolled puff pastry (about 300g or 10 oz)

• preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 550°F (290°C), and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. In a saucepan, bring to a rolling boil the sugar, water, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and cinnamon stick.
3. Separately, whisk the milk, flour, and salt together very thoroughly. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, for about 5 minutes or until well combined and thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
4. Once cooled, whisk in the egg yolks. Then add the sugar syrup (removing the cinnamon stick), and mix until everything is well-combined. Strain into a bowl.
5. Meanwhile, cut the puff pastry sheet into two pieces and place them on top of each other. Tightly roll the sheets into a log, from the short side. Next, cut the log into 12 evenly sized pieces.
6. Place one piece in each of the 12 wells of the muffin tin. press down into the center of the dough piece and press outwards to form a cup with the pastry. The pastry cup should have its top edge just above the top of the well of the muffin tin.
7. Fill each pastry cup 3/4 of the way to the top with custard.
8. Place the tray in the oven and bake until the custard starts to caramelize and blister and the pastry goes golden brown (10-12 minutes). Cool pastries before serving.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

Custard:
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
pinch of salt
2/3 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Danishes:
1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed
4 ripe, firm freestone peaches, peeled
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
freshly ground nutmeg

• preparation

Custard:
Combine sugar with constarch and salt in a glass bowl. Whisk in milk until smooth. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Stir at least once during cooking. Beat eggs lightly.
Stir some of the hot sauce into egg, then whisk warm egg back into custard. Microwave on medium for 20 to 40 seconds or until thickened. Whisk until smooth.
Whisk in vanilla and set aside.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Danishes:
Roll half the pastry on a lightly floured surface into a 12-x 8-inch rectangle. Cut pastry into six 4-inch rectangles. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with remaining pastry. Slice peaches thinly. Toss gently with blueberries, lemon juice and sugar.
Spoon fruit mixture into centre of pastry rectangles. Top fruit with about 2 teaspoons of custard and a small pinch of nutmeg. Bake for 20 minutes, rotating pan after 10 minutes. Pastry should be puffed and golden.
Cool slightly on racks. Serve danishes with remaining custard on the side.
Adapted from Homemakers Magazine Summer 2002

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

Sauce:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind
3 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar

Filling:
1 pound peaches, peeled, chopped
1/2 cup raspberries
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
8 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 large egg white, whisked
1 package frozen puff pastry (2 sheets)

• preparation

For sauce:
Combine cream, milk, and orange in heavy saucepan. Bring to simmer. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes, covered. Whisk yolks and sugar. Gradually whisk warm milk mixture into yolk mixture; return to saucepan. Cook over low heat until mixture coats the back of a spoon, stirring constantly (do not boil).
Pour into bowl and chill until cold, whisking occasionally.
For filling:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray. Roll out one pastry sheet to 14-inch square. Cut our 4 circles each measuring 5-inches in diameter. Place circles on prepared sheet and cover with plastic. Repeat with remaining pastry sheet. Place circles atop plastic on same baking sheet. Freeze 10 minutes.
Toss peaches, raspberries, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, flour and lemon juice. Roll out pastry circles to 7-inch diameter rounds. Place 1/4 cup of fruit mixture in centre of each round. Gather dough atop fruit and twist and pinch firmly to enclose completely.
Place on large baking sheet. Freeze bundles for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush purses all over with egg white, and sprinkle each lightly with sugar cinnamon mixture.
Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes. Place 2 tablespoons sauce in centre of each plate. Place one purse in centre and serve warm.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 cans (1-lb, 14-oz size) pear halves
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon butter
1 9-inch puff pastry circle
1 cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Drain pears. Caramelize sugar with ¼ cup water until golden brown.
Pour caramel into the bottom of an 8½-inch round baking dish. Arrange pears, rounded side down on caramelized sugar.
Top with a second layer. Dot with butter. Bake 25 minutes. Bake pastry circle for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Place circle over pears.
Place serving plate over the top of pastry circle. Invert; remove baking dish.
Whip cream with sugar until firm. Garnish pears with whipped cream rosettes.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 ounces butter
2 ounces flour
2 cups milk
salt, pepper, nutmeg to taste
5 egg yolks
3 1/2 ounces diced ham
3 1/2 ounces diced cooked sausage
4 1/2 ounces grated Swiss cheese
1 pound puff pastry
1/2 cup flour 1 egg, beaten
1 cup fine bread crumbs
fried parsley for garnish

• preparation

In a saucepan, make a roux with butter and flour. Add milk. Whisk until sauce thickens. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add egg yolks. Whisk sauce to boil a few seconds. Cool sauce.
Mix in diced ham and sausage, and grated cheese. Pour into an oiled baking pan so that mixture is 1 inch high. Chill.
Roll cheese mixture into small cylinders. Place on 2 by 4-inch pieces of thinly rolled puff pastry. Seal.
Roll in flour, egg and fine breadcrumbs. Deep fry. Serve with fried parsley.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 pound red rhubarb stalks, unpeeled and thinly sliced diagonally (1/8 inch)
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from a 17 1/4-ounces package), thawed
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

Accompaniment: vanilla ice cream

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle.
Stir together orange juice, grated ginger, lime juice, and sugar in a bowl. Add rhubarb and let stand, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut pastry in half lengthwise, then roll out each piece into an 11-by 7-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin. Arrange pastry rectangles side by side on an ungreased large baking sheet.
Make a 1/2-inch border around each pastry rectangle by lightly scoring a line parallel to each edge. Prick pastry inside border all over with a fork.
Strain rhubarb mixture through a sieve set over a bowl, reserving liquid. Top 1 pastry rectangle (within border) with half of rhubarb, overlapping slices slightly. Repeat with remaining pastry and rhubarb.
Bake until pastry is puffed and golden (underside of pastry should also be golden), about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, boil reserved rhubarb liquid in a small saucepan, skimming foam if necessary, until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 15 to 18 minutes. The glaze will become medium thick
Transfer tarts to a rack. Brush rhubarb and pastry with glaze and sprinkle with zest.

Serves: 4

A small leg of lamb is stuffed and wrapped in puff pastry.
Top rated Beaumaniere is a restaurant in Les-Baux-en-Provence, France.
The owner was very kind to share his recipe with Chefdecuisine.com.

• Ingredients

1 small leg of lamb (about 2 pounds)
2 lamb kidneys, cut into small cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced mushrooms
2 tablespoons chopped truffles
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh tarragon, chopped
to taste salt and ground black pepper
1 tablespoon oil for roasting
2 tablespoons Madeira wine
1 cup diced vegetables (carrot, celery, onion)
1 1/2 pounds puff pastry
1 egg
to taste salt and ground black pepper

• preparation

Bone the leg of lamb without opening completely and leave shank bone attached.
In a sauté pan, heat olive oil over high heat, and briskly sauté the lamb kidney pieces.
Deglaze with Madeira wine. Add mushrooms and truffles, thyme, rosemary, and tarragon.
Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside until cool.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Stuff boned leg of lamb with the kidney mixture.
Close opening with a trussing needle and twine. Rub stuffed leg of lamb with oil; season with salt and pepper. Place diced vegetables, lamb bones and trimmings in a roasting pan.
Arrange leg of lamb on top of vegetables, and roast in the oven for 15 minutes.
Remove lamb, and cool.
Also, remove twine before wrapping in pastry dough. Add 2 cups of water to the pan and boil to make 1 cup of lamb juice. Strain. Remove fat, and set aside.
Roll out puff pastry to about 1/4 inch thickness. Brush surface with beaten egg.
Place lamb on top and cover with dough, leaving shank bone uncovered. Decorate pastry with any trimmings. Brush dough with egg again. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees, and bake for 20 more minutes for medium-rare.
Carve the lamb, and serve with the lamb gravy. Potatoes Savoyarde are served with this dish .

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 sheet (from 1 pound (450 g pkg) frozen butter puff pastry, thawed
8 red or striped heirloom plum tomatoes, about 1 ¼ pounds
1 cup yellow teardrop or cherry tomatoes halved lengthwise
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 egg beaten
1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
2 tsp fresh thyme or oregano

• preparation

Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
On lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to 10-inch square; transfer to prepared pan. Using fork, prick pastry all over; refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut red tomatoes crosswise into ½ -inch thick slices. In bowl, toss together red and yellow tomatoes, oil, garlic, salt and pepper; spread on remaining prepared pan. Roast in 400F oven until slightly charred and shriveled, about 30 minutes. Let cool on pan.
Bake pastry in center of 400 degrees F. oven until light golden and puffed, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly. Brush pastry all over with some of the egg; sprinkle with cheese, leaving a 1-inch border. Arrange red tomatoes in overlapping rows on cheese. Scatter yellow tomatoes over top; sprinkle with thyme. Return to oven and bake until golden and puffed, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes; cut into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Adapted from Canadian Living August 2007

Serves: 8

By: Lucy Waverman
An update of the old favourite Beef Wellington, this memorable main course can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated until one hour before baking. I have served this cold on a buffet table and it is sensational because it slices so beautifully when cold. The hollandaise is made by a quick-and-easy-no-fail method. Serve with garlic green beans or a tartly dressed green salad.

• Ingredients

6 to 8 leaves of chard
2 tbsp butter
3 cups sliced leeks, white and light green portions only
½ cup (125 mL) cream
6 cups spinach
Salt and freshly ground pepper
8 oz (250 g) scallops, chopped
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground ginger
Pinch cayenne
1 tsp cinnamon
2 pieces (1½ lbs/750 g each) skinned salmon, preferably centre cut
1 pkg (450 g) pre-rolled puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, lightly beaten

ARUGULA HOLLANDAISE
½ cup (125 mL) butter
2 egg yolks
11/2 cups (375 mL) packed baby arugula
1/4 cup (60 mL) Greek yogurt
Salt and freshly ground pepper

• preparation

1 Bring a pot of water to a boil and immerse chard leaves. Boil for 1 minute, then drain. Refresh with cold water and drain again. Dry leaves with a paper towel. Remove and discard stems.

2 Heat butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add leeks and sauté until soft but not brown, about 6 minutes. Add cream and simmer until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add spinach and cook for 2 more minutes or until spinach has wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in scallops. Cool to room temperature.

3 Combine paprika, ginger, cayenne and cinnamon. Season both sides of salmon with salt, then sprinkle with spice mixture.

4 Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

5 Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place one 10-inch (25 cm) square piece of puff pastry on a lined baking sheet. Arrange 3 pieces of chard in center of pastry, leaving a 1/2 inch (1 cm) border. Brush edges with egg wash. Sprinkle chard with salt.

6 Place 1 piece of salmon on chard. Spread scallop mixture evenly over salmon. Top with second portion of salmon. Lay remaining chard leaves over fish, tucking in around the edges to wrap.

7 Roll second portion of pastry into a larger square, about 12 inches (30 cm). Lay over top, enclosing salmon. Cut away any excess pastry and pinch pastry edges to form a package. Brush with remaining egg wash and cut slits into top of pastry.

8 Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until pastry is golden and salmon is cooked.

9 For Hollandaise, place butter in pot on medium heat and bring to boil. Meanwhile, place egg yolks, arugula and yogurt in food processor. Process until well combined. Pour bubbling butter slowly down through feeder tube while machine runs, scraping down the sides. Sauce will thicken. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 pounds fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced
1 ounce finely chopped shallots
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, peeled
thyme, bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste
8 individual puff pastry shells (available frozen)
2 ounces butter
16 eggs
salt and pepper
2 ounces butter
For garnish: parsley

• preparation

Make the tomato sauce:
Cook shallots over low heat with oil. Add tomatoes, thyme, bay leaf, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While sauce is simmering, cook pastry shells according to directions on the package.

For the eggs:
Beat eggs with a whisk. Strain in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large non stick frying pan. Pour eggs in pan. Cook over low heat while stirring constantly until eggs are creamy. Mix in the butter.
Spoon eggs into the warm pastry shells. Place pastry cover on top of eggs.
Garnish with parsley. Serve with the tomato sauce.

Serves: 6

This delicious recipe is really easy to put together!
The puff pastry is much easier to work with than phyllo dough, so it is prepared fairly quickly.

• Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 (10 ounce) boxes frozen chopped spinach, thawed & squeezed dry
1 cup Gruyere cheese, grated
4 eggs, extra large, beaten
1 tablespoon dry breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 large egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment (preferable) but you can use aluminum foil with a light spray of cooking oil.
2
Melt butter and cook onions for a few minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
3
Beat eggs in medium bowl. Add cooked onion, spinach, cheese and bread crumbs. Add salt, pepper, & nutmeg. Mix well with fork.
4
Place one unfolded sheet of puff pastry on the parchment or sprayed aluminum foil. Spread the spinach mixture over the pastry, leaving a border of one inch all around the edges. Keep the spinach flat; do not pile high.
5
Brush the edges with the egg wash made with the last egg. Cover with the second sheet of pastry that has been slightly flattened with a rolling pin to one inch bigger than the first sheet. (This ensures all the spinach will be covered). Press edges together with fingertips or fork, making sure mixture is sealed well. Brush just the top with egg wash, careful not to drip any down the sides. Cut a few slits in the top with a sharp knife to allow steam to escape.
6
Bake 30-40 minutes, until golden brown. Can be served hot or at room temperature.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

For pastry cream:
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups boiling milk

For caramel syrup:
1 1/3 cups water
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons brandy
For pastry:
1/2 pound puff pastry sheet, thawed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon milk
2 tablespoons sugar
2 1-pint baskets strawberries, washed, hulled, sliced

• preparation

Pastry cream:
Whisk yolks, sugar and flour, and vanilla in bowl. Add boiling milk while whisking continuously. Return to saucepan, and whisk over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
Transfer pastry cream to bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly onto surface of pastry. Chill. (can be made 2 days ahead.)
Syrup:
In a medium heavy saucepan, stir cup water and sugar. Heat over high heat until caramel forms, occasionally swirling the pan. Meanwhile, bring remaining 1 cup water to boil in a small saucepan. Remove caramel from heat. Mix in boiling water. Stir to dissolve caramel. Cool syrup.
Pastry:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out puff pastry sheet on floured surface. Cut out nine 4-inch rounds. Arrange on a baking sheet. Pierce pastries several times with tines of fork. Chill 15 minutes.
Beat egg and milk to blend. Brush 6 pastries with egg wash; sprinkle with sugar. Bake pastries until puffed and golden. Transfer to rack and cool.
Cut each pastry in half horizontally. Reserve 6 sugar-coated tops.
Place 1 plain pastry round on each of six plates. Spread a tablespoon of pastry cream over. Top with sliced berries. Cover with second pastry. Repeat layering of pastry cream and berries. Top with reserved sugar-coated pastries.
Spoon caramel syrup around base of each napoleon.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

50g butter
25g flour
25 cl of milk
2 eggs
150 g Comté cheese, cut into small dice
grated nutmeg
400g puff pastry
2 thin slices of ham (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

• preparation

Make a roux with 25 g of butter and the flour.
Moisten with the milk, mix carefully; quickly bring to the boil and cook for 3 minutes over low heat.

Let the béchamel cool down, mix in one egg yolk, the diced Comté cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg.

Cut the rolled-out puff pastry into 4 discs 16 cm in diameter

If using ham, Cut the slices of ham in half.

Crack the second egg into a bowl, beat with a fork until golden brown.

Using a brush dipped in this egg wash, brush the edges of the discs of puff pastry.

Place a ½ slice of ham in the center of each disc of dough.

Place on top 1 large spoon, 1/4 - of the cheese preparation.

Bring the discs on three sides towards the center to give a tricorn shape. Seal the three sides well. Gild with egg.

Place each talmouse on the baking sheet, leave to firm in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes.


Heat the remaining butter in a frying pan, sauté the mushrooms, sprinkle with the chopped shallot, salt and pepper, and cook briskly until the water has completely evaporated.

Remove the talmouses from the refrigerator, brush them completely with the egg wash.

Bake in the oven preheated to 240°C - Th 8, until the pastry is flaky and golden, about 35 minutes

If necessary, lower the oven temperature and cover the talmouses with aluminum foil at the end of cooking.

Arrange each talmouse on a warm plates. Serve hot.

Serves: 5

The sunrise-soya.com/recipe is a
kid-friendly recipe packed with loads of flavour. Store leftovers in refrigerator, or freeze for later use.

• Ingredients

1 lb pkg extra firm tofu , crumbled
1 cup onion, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large celery stalk , diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground sage
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp dried parsley flakes
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
3 tsp water or milk for egg wash if desired
4 sheets puff pastry, or refrigerated dough , rolled and cut into 5” circles

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400F, if baking right away. The filling can be made a day or two in advance and kept in the fridge.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium-high heat. Sauté onions, celery and garlic for 10min., add in cloves, nutmeg and sage, cook additional 5min.
In a food processor, pulse tofu until it is a coarse crumble, add to skillet; add in salt, pepper, parsley, balsamic vinegar and Worcestershire sauce, mix well on low heat for 3min. Remove from heat; pour into a large mixing bowl to cool about 15-20min.
At this point you can refrigerate filling for later use, or if baking right away, continue onto next step.
On lightly floured work surface, roll out dough, cut into 5” circles, reroll remaining dough for more circles. Spoon about 2 tbsp of filling on half of each round. Fold in half and press edges together with fingers or fork to seal.
Whisk egg with water or milk in a small bowl, brush tops of prepared pies.
Bake for 15-20min or until golden brown. Cool 10min. on wire rack.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

3 lbs of ripe tomatoes
puff pastry (ready to use)
1 organic lemon
4 tablespoons of black olive tapenade
2 garlic cloves
20 pitted black olives
2 shallots
fresh thyme, fresh oregano, rosemary
1 teaspoons of coriander seeds
1 tablespoon sugar
olive oil
salt and pepper

• preparation

Toast the coriander seeds, crush them and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Brown the chopped shallots for 5 minutes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Plunge the tomatoes in boiling water for 1 minute in order to remove the skin easily. Once cooled, cut tomatoes in haves and squeeze out the seeds and juice. Chop coarsely and cook uncovered in a frying pan with olive oil, chopped garlic, sugar, fresh herbs, salt and the pepper. Stir until it becomes a thick purée.

Wash the lemon, remove 2 strips of peel and boil for 3 minutes. Keep one of the lemon peels for decoration and chop the other one.
Place parchment paper on the bottom of a pie dish and oil it with olive oil.

Mix the tomatoes and chopped lemon zests.
Pour the tomato preparation onto the parchment paper and leave a space on the circumference.
Place the pitted black olives on top.
Then coat with olive tapenade.

Slowly place the puff pastry on the filling, slide the edge of the dough to the bottom of the mold. Prick the dough with a fork. Cook 30 minutes in the oven at 425 F.

Let rest outside of the oven for 20 minutes and then turn the pie over on a flat dish.

Sprinkle a little bit of coriander-perfumed olive oil. Decorate with some lemon peel and serve immediately.

Serves: 4

Serve with a green salad. Vary the vegetables using eggplant, beans, snow peas, carrots, sweet potatoes or squash, all thinly sliced. You can use leftover cooked vegetables too. For a non-vegetarian dish, sauté chopped smoked bacon and add to vegetables.

• Ingredients

2 tbsp (25 mL) olive oil
1/2 red pepper, thinly sliced
1 tsp (5 mL) chopped garlic
1 onion, sliced
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 cup (250 mL) thinly sliced cabbage or fennel
6 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped parsley
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) Gruyere, mozzarella or cheddar, grated
Salt and freshly ground pepper
8 oz (250 g) frozen puff pastry, defrosted
1 egg, beaten with a pinch of salt


Spiced Pesto Vinaigrette
1/2 cup (125 mL) pesto
1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
1/2 tsp (2 mL) hot pepper sauce
2 tbsp (25 mL) olive oil

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Heat olive oil in skillet on medium-high heat. Add peppers and sauté for 2 minutes. Add garlic, onion, zucchini, cabbage and mushrooms. Sauté until crisp tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and drain off any liquid. Stir in parsley and cheese. Season with salt and pepper and cool.
Roll out pastry to a 10 x 14-inch (25 x 35-cm) rectangle. Pile vegetables along upper third of pastry lengthwise, leaving a 1 inch wide border on short sides. Brush all sides with beaten egg. Fold short ends up over filling, then roll into cylinder, cutting off pastry excess. Place seam-side down on cookie sheet and prick top. Brush with egg.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Whisk together pesto, lemon juice, hot pepper sauce and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Cut strudel in slices and drizzle some sauce over.
This recipe is adapted from the LCBO Food and Drink Magazine in Ontario, Canada