This is quite long post with recipe of puff pastry as well sheets too and one small memory which I am shared with you all. Here it is...
This is one of my favorite pastries which is attached with my school time memories. That time we called "Potato Patties". One of my friend first introduced me to it and I get it interval time, I'll make sure it's available at the canteen.
At interval time, after finished our lunch, me and my friend will specially go to canteen to have this on a regular basis or if its skip at school time, will have at after our evening tuition :D Beautiful memories of school days and especially with food :) Let's go to the post !!
During my recent trip to Australia to my elder sister place, she suggested that it would be easy for me to recreate this puff at home only. And I realized she was right. (Thanks for the idea Sister <3, love you!)
While most of the breads & cakes are quite complicated for me :D and take lot of time, this pastry is something I can easily create at home.
Pastries sheets are easily available in every shop in Australia but in India specially Bangalore, I was searched so many places and online website too, to get puff pastry sheet, but can't get anywhere these pastry sheets.
Then I have decided to make a dough of puff pastry at home only, I have tried with very small quantity, so I am sharing the recipe of puff pastry sheets with the same quantity I used. It will take lot of time to prepare but it's worth to try at home. I have adapted the recipe of Masterchef Pankaj Bhaduria
It’s basically a puff pastry, filled with simple cooked potato in an Indian style and topped with more sesame seeds for more taste, if you don't like sesame seeds you can skip this. I used potato filling you can customize your own preference of filling. You can customize their shapes also.
Recipe of Puff Pastry Sheets
Make - 7 pastries
Ingredients :
All Purpose Flour / Maida - 170 grams
Cold Butter - 120 Grams [100 gm plus 20 gm in cubes]
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Powdered Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Cold Water - 120 ml or as needed
Preparation Method :
1) Mix the flour and salt together in a large bowl. Gradually stir in water until the dough holds together enough to clean the sides of the bowl. Shape into a flat ball, and allow resting for at least 8 to 10 minutes.
2) Place the butter between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound into a flat disc using a rolling pin or other heavy object. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.
3) Spread a plastic wrap and place the dough over it. Cover with another plastic wrap and roll it into thin sheets. Now fold them from both ends and invert them and roll it again into thin rectangle. Fold them from both ends. Cover this with plastic wrap and put them into fridge for 30 mins.
4) On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Place 1/4 of crumbled butter (chilled) in the center and fold the two ends over it so that it is completely encased in dough.
5) Roll out the dough again, taking care not to let the fat break through the dough, to about 1/2 inch thickness. Fold into thirds. This is the first ''turn''. Rotate the dough 90 degrees and roll out into a rectangle again.
6) Fold into thirds i.e. 2nd turn. By this time the fat is starting to warm up. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes.
7) Repeat this rolling, folding and turning one more time with butter and then without butter. Wrap and refrigerate. The dough is now ready to roll out and use in any recipe calling for puff pastry.
8) Roll the dough out as thin as 1/4 inch to make pastries into a large rectangle/ square shape. Freeze them and use it when you required and make sure parch the baking sheet in between every pastry sheet so it can be easily come out.
Potato Puff Pastry Recipe
Ingredients:
Cooked Potato Veggie - 1 cup of your favorite thick-style mashed potato recipe (make sure it's a thick style one)
Frozen Pastry sheets / Homemade Pastry sheet
Sesame seeds for sprinkle
Preparation Method :
1. Defrost puff pastry sheets until they are soft enough to work with.
2. Preheat oven to 400F. Line 2 baking sheets with baking mats or parchment paper.
3. Remove frozen parchment paper from the puff pastry sheets. Using a sharp knife, slice the sheets along the folds, forming 4 long squares per sheet (see photos below).
4. For every pair of squares, take about 1 to 2 tbsp mashed cooked potato and put into the center of it.
5. Wet the edges with water so that it would stick while folding. Fold the puff pastry sheet towards you, as shown in the pic. Seal the edges by pressing with your thumb. Repeat with remaining puff pastry.
6. Brush the top with water, which will give the puff a bright brown after baking(you can use egg or oil or butter wash for brushing, but I didn't used it). Sprinkle some sesame seeds on top.
7. Place into oven to bake. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until pastries puff up and turn a golden brown(mine will done in 15 minutes). Let pastries cool a few minutes before serving.
Note** : Check at regular intervals to avoid burnt puffs.
8. Serve puff pastry with your choice of sauce.
Happy Cooking & Enjoy !!
