Basil Palmiers Recipes

PALMIERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Combine the sugar and kosher salt. Pour 1 cup of the sugar/salt mixture on a flat surface such as wooden board or marble. Unfold each sheet of puff pastry onto the sugar and pour 1/2 cup of the sugar mixture on top, spreading it evenly on the puff pastry. This is not about sprinkling, it's about an even covering of sugar. With a rolling pin, roll the dough until it's 13 by 13-inches square and the sugar is pressed into the puff pastry on top and bottom. Fold the sides of the square towards the center so they go halfway to the middle. Fold them again so the two folds meet exactly at the middle of the dough. Then fold 1 half over the other half as though closing a book. You will have 6 layers. Slice the dough into 3/8-inch slices and place the slices, cut side up, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Place the second sheet of pastry on the sugared board, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar mixture, and continue as above. (There will be quite a bit of sugar left over on the board.) Slice and arrange on baking sheets lined with parchment.
• Bake the cookies for 6 minutes until caramelized and brown on the bottom, then turn with a spatula and bake another 3 to 5 minutes, until caramelized on the other side. Transfer to a baking rack to cool.

TOMATO BASIL ELEPHANT EARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• To make the paste, place the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process for 30 seconds. Add the basil, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for 15 seconds. Set aside.
• Unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry and place it on a lightly floured board. With a rolling pin, lightly roll the dough until it's a 13-inch square. Using a knife, spread the paste over the top of the puff pastry. Fold the sides of the square toward the center so they go halfway to the middle. Fold them again so the 2 folds meet exactly at the middle of the dough. Then fold one half over the other half as though closing a book. You will have 6 layers. Slice the dough into 3/8-inch slices and place the slices, cut side up, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Brush each piece with egg wash and place in the oven. Bake for 6 minutes. Turn each pastry slice over and continue baking an additional 5 minutes.

BASIL PALMIERS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400°F
• Pulse together the basil, garlic, and olive oil until it forms a finely textured paste.
• Roll the pastry dough into a large rectangle, about 15-inches by 12-inches.
• Using a pastry brush or spoon, spread the basil paste in a thin, even layer over the dough.
• Starting at the long ends of the rectangle, loosely roll each side inward until they meet in the middle.
• To hold difficult pastry together, brush it with the egg, if needed.
• Slice the pastry crosswise into 1/4-inch palmiers - they'll look like little scrolls - and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Sprinkle them with the ground black pepper and bake them for 12-15 minutes, until they puff and turn golden brown.
• Remove them from the baking sheet and serve warm or at room temperature.
• Variation: Sprinkle 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese over the basil paste and dough before rolling it into palmiers.

SAVORY PALMIERS

Steps:

• Lightly flour a board and carefully unfold one sheet of puff pastry. Roll the pastry lightly with a rolling pin until it's 9 1/2 by 11 1/2-inches. Spread the sheet of puff pastry with half the pesto, then sprinkle with half the goat cheese, half the sundried tomatoes, and half the pine nuts. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Working from the short ends, fold each end halfway to the center. Then fold each side again towards the center until the folded edges almost touch. Fold one side over the other and press lightly. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat the entire instructions for the second sheet of puff pastry using the remaining ingredients. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut the prepared rolls of puff pastry in 1/4 inch thick slices and place them face up 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 14 minutes, until golden brown. Serve warm.
• Place the walnuts, pignolis, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 30 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is finely pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Serve, or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.

PALMIERS DU BASILIC (BASIL-SCENTED SAVORY COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°.
• In a small food processor, combine the basil and garlic cloves and process until a paste begins to form. With the motor running, add the 1/4 cup olive oil in a slow, steady stream, processing until a smooth paste forms.
• On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the puff pastry into a 12x15 rectangle, marking the center at top and bottom, making an imaginary line. Spread the basil paste thinly over the pastry surface. Roll the 2 narrow ends of the pastry sheet inward, not too tightly, brushing with a little olive oil to help it hold together. When the rolls meet at the center, press together very lightly, then place in the freezer for 20 minutes.
• Lightly oil a baking sheet. Remove the pastry roll from the freezer, place on a work surface, and cut crosswise into 3/8-inch pieces. Transfer each piece to the prepared baking sheet, cut side down. Sprinkle with a little sea salt and pressing very lightly to adhere the salt.
• Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Using a spatula, transfer the pastries to a rack and let cool completely before serving.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PALMIERS

Steps:

• Place first 5 ingredients in a mini-chopper; process until finely chopped. Unfold dough, and roll to a 10 x 9 inch rectangle. Spread the tomato mixture over dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Roll up long side of dough (from both sides), jelly-roll fashion, until sides meet in the middle. Chill 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut dough crosswise into 20 slices. Arrange slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.