- Easy starter
Place a thawed sheet of puff pastry on a baking tray, top with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves, and pop in the oven. When baked, cut into squares for easy starters or a light snack. - A fancy-ish starter
Spread good-quality tomato-and-chilli jam, chutney or preserve over a sheet of thawed pastry, place a circle of brie cheese in the middle and wrap the pastry around the cheese. Brush with egg and bake until pastry is golden brown. Let cool, then cut into melting wedges to serve as a decadent starter. - No time for supper? No problem.
Craving the warmth of a delicious pie but lacking the time and/or culinary skills? Concoct your filling by sautéing onions and mushrooms, shredding a ready-cooked rotisserie chicken, and adding a store-bought cheese sauce and some corn kernels to the mix. Place in an oven dish and cover with a sheet of puff pastry. Brush with egg and bake. Alternatively, just add a pastry lid to your favourite beef stew. - Decadent dessert in a hurry
Place a sheet of thawed puff pastry on a baking tray, spread with Nutella and sprinkle over hazelnuts. Pop in the oven until the pastry is golden brown.
- Fruity goodness
Spread plain cream cheese over a sheet of pastry and arrange sliced fruit such as berries, peaches, apricot or plums over the cream-cheese layer. Drizzle with honey. Bake until the pastry is golden brown. Dust with icing sugar, cut into squares and serve with cream or ice cream. Simple!
Disclaimer: Ovens vary, but 180°C is a good guideline temperature for baking puff pastry. Ideas can be adapted to suit your taste and ingredients. Be creative!
