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Spicy Cheese Twists

Spicy Cheese Twists
Yields
64 servings

If you’re pressed for time, use frozen store-bought puff pastry to make these delicious twists.

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ingredients

Puff Pastry

2 ½
cup flour, plus more if needed
2
tsp salt
4
Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1
cup water
2
Tbsp vinegar
1 ¾
cup unsalted butter
Flour, for rolling dough

Assembly

6
oz sliced spicy Italian salami, chopped roughly
1
cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3
Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2
Tbsp Dijon mustard
1
Tbsp water
2
lb(s) puff pastry, chilled (below)
Flour, for rolling pastry
Coarse salt and freshly cracked black pepper
2
large egg yolks, lightly beaten with 2 tbsp. water
1
cup sesame seeds
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directions

Step 1

Combine the flour and salt on a table.

Step 2

Make a well in the center and pour in the 4 tbsp. melted butter, the water and the vinegar.

Step 3

With a fork, gradually bring the flour into the well to mix until incorporated. Add a bit more flour, if needed.

Step 4

Knead briefly to make a semi smooth dough.

Step 5

Pat dough into a flat 1-inch thick disk.

Step 6

With a knife mark an “X” across the entire width of the dough.

Step 7

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Step 8

Fit a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.

Step 9

Add 1 3/4 cups butter and beat about 2 minutes to soften.

Step 10

With your hands, form the butter into a square that is about a third smaller than the dough.

Step 11

Wrap butter in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Step 12

Remove the dough and butter from the fridge.

Step 13

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface.

Step 14

Roll the corners of the dough out to about 1/4 inch thick forming a large X shape leaving the center of the dough unrolled.

Step 15

Place the butter square in the middle of the X and pull the rolled out corners up over the butter to completely encase butter in dough.

Step 16

Roll the dough into a 10- by 20-inch rectangle. Keep it even.

Step 17

Rotate the dough so it is horizontal.

Step 18

Do one envelop fold or one half turn, that is, fold the right side into the center then fold the left side to the center. Now fold dough in half. That is now a completed full turn.

Step 19

Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Step 20

Roll out the dough again and repeat the full turn, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Step 21

Do one more rolling and full turn and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Step 22

Now the dough is ready to use.

Step 23

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 24

In a food processor, pulse the salami with the Parmesan, parsley, mustard and water to a paste.

Step 25

Cut the puff pastry in half.

Step 26

Roll out the first piece puff pastry 1/8-inch thick on a lightly floured surface.

Step 27

Season it with salt and pepper.

Step 28

Spread half the Parmesan paste evenly over the bottom half of the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border on the sides.

Step 29

Fold the top half of the dough over to cover the paste and press the edges to seal.

Step 30

Using a rolling pin, lightly press the bottom and sides together.

Step 31

Put the puff pastry on one of the baking sheets and chill until firm.

Step 32

Repeat with the remaining half of puff pastry dough.

Step 33

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 34

Roll out both pieces of puff pastry 1/8-inch thick and cut each into 2 long 8-inch wide strips (you’ll have 4 total).

Step 35

Keeping the others refrigerated, trim each strip into a neat rectangle.

Step 36

Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with some of the sesame seeds.

Step 37

Cut each rectangle crosswise into 1/2-inch wide, 8-inch long sticks.

Step 38

Twist the cheese sticks to make a long spiral and arrange them on the 2 baking sheets.

Step 39

Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.

Step 40

Bake the cheese sticks for about 15 minutes, or until golden and crisp, alternating the pans in the oven halfway through baking, just so the cheese sticks cook evenly.

Step 41

Serve warm or at room temperature.

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