I first saw these little morsels of tastiness on TV when Lorraine Pascale made them in her first series, possibly even in her very first programme. They looked both dead easy to make and very yummy in equal measures, so when we were chez nous in our little French house, expecting visitors, I was thinking about something quick to make for pre-dinner nibbles and decided to give them a go.
I made some tomato ones, using a jar of “delices de tomatoes”, which is a sort of sundried tomato paste. I also sprinkled on some grated parmesan cheese for good measure. They were made in a jiffy and went down very well with our guests.
Later in the week, with the help of my young baker friends, Isabella and Amélie (more about that later), I also made some Speculoos ones, using a jar of Speculoos spread. The idea came from one of those little mini French recipe books that you find in petrol stations and supermarkets. The actual recipe was for pinwheels but I made them into palmiers instead. They were also a big hit, especially with the two girls !!
Definitely worth doing again and the variations of fillings are, I suspect, endless.
Here’s how I made the palmiers.
Ingredients
One pack of ready-rolled, ready-made puff pastry
A jar of sundried tomato paste, or Speculoos spread
Method
Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°fan/gas mk 6. Line two baking sheets with baking paper.
Unfold the pastry and, if it’s a French pastry and therefore a circle, trim into a square or oblong shape.
Spread the pastry thinly with your choice of flavouring, right up to the edge.
With the shorter end nearest to you, roll each longer side of the pastry towards the middle, making a sort of double sausage shape – it helps to mark the centre of pastry sheet so you know where to stop rolling. Brush the inside edges where the two rolls meet with a little beaten egg, milk or water so they stick together.
Cut your double sausage into thin slices using a sharp knife. Place them well apart on the two baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
Bake for 10-15 minutes until the pastry is puffed up and golden.
Allow to cool on the sheets for a few minutes then transfer to a rack. Allow to cool completely before serving.
Makes approx. 24 palmiers.
so adorable... for their taste, speed and looks! (just like you!!)
ReplyDeleteDom, flattery will get you everywhere !!
DeleteJean these sound fantastic. We are living off courgettes at the moment. wonder if I can make a courgette paste!!! Keep well Diane
ReplyDeleteI think you'll find you're on your own with the courgette paste, Diane!! We're living off them too... :(
DeleteDiane, courgette pesto perhaps?
DeleteC & E, I am envious of your crop of courgettes, my seeds didn't even germinate in the greenhouse this year. Luckily when we were chez nous last week we acquired quite a few from friends with a surplus !!
A great idea for aperos, especially if you want to offer something home-made. Merci beaucoup!
ReplyDeleteGaynor, they are dead easy and your guests would be impressed, I'm sure.
DeleteYour palmiers look delicious, really tasty and easy to make x
ReplyDeleteThey looked disappointingly wonky before they went in the oven but they straightened themselves out beautifully, I'm pleased to say.
DeleteI love making palmiers and have tried both sweet and savoury. Yours look great especially the speculoos one - that's one I've not tried before!
ReplyDeleteI shall be doing some internet research for more ideas for fillings, any suggestions will be gratefully received !!
DeleteThey look great Jean. Love the idea of using speculoos spread. Think I'll have to make some for my grandsons. Have you tried them with Nutella?
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, I literally just baked some peanut butter ones this morning! (Also a fan of marmite flavour, or both of these together!!)
ReplyDeleteI also like the fact you can freeze or keep ready-to-cook ones in the fridge and bake a batch when you want some snacks! :)
Pickled red pepper or roasted red pepper and cheese
ReplyDelete