PUFF PASTRY CHRISTMAS TREE
The puff pastry Christmas tree is a delicious and super-easy Christmas appetizer made up of many small pinwheels created from strips of puff pastry and various fillings: cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables, pâtés and whatever your imagination suggests, all arranged so as to take the shape of a Christmas tree.
A cute and fun idea, entirely edible, to prepare during the holidays as an attractive centerpiece or as finger food.
Besides being pretty and tasty, it is also extremely simple and quick to make so that in a few steps and about 5 minutes it will be ready to go into the oven.
You only need to fill the puff pastry with what you like, roll it tightly and then cut the puff pastry pinwheels that will be baked.
Since filling it with slices of cold cuts and cheeses does not require much explanation apart from a few tips for a perfect bake, today I will prepare it with a delicate and flavorful smoked salmon mousse.
You’ll see it’s not difficult — follow the steps and you’ll bring a real masterpiece to the table!
PUFF PASTRY CHRISTMAS TREE
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Budget-friendly
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 6/8 people
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- puff pastry (1 rectangular sheet)
- as needed milk (or egg for brushing the surface)
- cream cheese (spreadable) (such as Philadelphia — about 7 oz (200 g))
- smoked salmon (about 3.5 oz (100 g))
- heavy cream (1 tablespoon)
- as needed salt
- as needed pepper (optional)
Preparation
To prepare the smoked salmon mousse, place the cream cheese, the cream and the chopped smoked salmon in a jug. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and start blending with an immersion blender.
Blend until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous cream.
Your smoked salmon mousse is ready to be used.
Unroll 1 sheet of puff pastry.
Spread it with the smoked salmon mousse, leveling the mixture well and covering the entire surface uniformly, avoiding leaving empty spots.
Then roll the pastry tightly lengthwise to form a compact roll.
Put it in the freezer for 10–15 minutes so it will be easier to cut regular slices.
After this time, take the roll out of the freezer and cut 8 pinwheels.
Arrange them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper following the shape of a tree.
Keep the baking tray in the refrigerator until the oven reaches the temperature.
Bake in a preheated fan oven at 374°F for about 35 minutes.
STORAGE
You can store the puff pastry Christmas tree unbaked in the refrigerator, well covered with plastic wrap, for 1 day and bake it the next day.
TIPS AND VARIATIONS
With the same method you can fill your puff pastry Christmas tree with many alternative fillings such as olive pâté, ham mousse, carrots and zucchini, speck and brie, mixed cold cuts and cheeses, anchovy paste … in short, give free rein to your imagination in the kitchen.
To prevent the pinwheels from opening during baking, when positioning them join them at their final joints.
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More ideas for your Christmas menu
APPETIZERS
No-bake salmon terrine without gelatin
FIRST COURSES
OR VISIT THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR MANY OTHER IDEAS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS MENU Holiday seafood menu from appetizer to main and many desserts
