During my last shoot with Tony, we had the Food Network on. I got completely enthralled with The Barefoot Contessa's Thanksgiving show...and particularly her tomato basil palmiers that she was making. The recipe sounded easy and delicious, which are the two most important factors in making little nibbles for holiday gatherings *and* holiday blog events, like the Festive Food Fair being hosted by Anna at Morsels and Musings.
The secret here is the puff pastry. Folks, I have to say...nothing is easier and gives you more bang for your buck during the holidays. You can wrap virtually *anything* with puff pastry and get ooohs and aaahs from your guests. For this recipe, you can make your own pesto or used pre-made for an even easier time of it. I think you could also use various spreads and fillings inside your palmiers - a little prosciutto and mustard might be divine!
Savory Tomato Basil Palmiers - (recipe originally posted on foodnetwork.com) - makes 20
1 1/4 cups sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped garlic (9 cloves)
5 cups basil leaves, packed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup good olive oil
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted (recommended: Pepperidge Farm)
1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
To make the paste, place the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process for 30 seconds. Add the basil, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for 15 seconds. Set aside.
Unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry and place it on a lightly floured board. With a rolling pin, lightly roll the dough until it's a 13-inch square. Using a knife, spread the paste over the top of the puff pastry. Fold the sides of the square toward the center so they go halfway to the middle. Fold them again so the 2 folds meet exactly at the middle of the dough. Then fold one half over the other half as though closing a book. You will have 6 layers. Slice the dough into 3/8-inch slices and place the slices, cut side up, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Brush each piece with egg wash and place in the oven. Bake for 6 minutes. Turn each pastry slice over and continue baking an additional 5 minutes.