Florentine Appetizer Puffs Recipes

FRENCH BREAKFAST PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Set aside.
• In a separate large bowl, cream together the sugar and shortening. Add the eggs and mix again. Alternate adding one-third of the flour mixture and one-third of the milk to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
• Fill the muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the muffins from the pan and set aside.
• To make the coating, melt the butter in a bowl or glass pan. In a separate container, combine the sugar and cinnamon.
• Dip the warm muffins in the butter, coating thoroughly.
• Then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Don't be afraid to really coat 'em up. Let the kids help!

HOLIDAY APPETIZER PUFFS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. , Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Immediately cut a slit in puffs to allow steam to escape. When cool, split puffs open; remove tops and set aside. Discard soft dough from inside. , In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in the remaining filling ingredients. Just before serving, spoon filling into puffs; replace tops.

FLORENTINE APPETIZER PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease baking sheets. Cook spinach according to package directions; drain well. Transfer to large bowl. Add Parmesan and onion. Blend in eggs. Stir in croutons and butter. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead, covered and frozen. Do not thaw before baking. Just increase baking time to 20-25 minutes.) Arrange on prepared baking sheets, spacing 1/2" apart. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

FLORENTINE ALMOND ARTICHOKE MOUNDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Rinse artichoke bottoms; pat dry with paper towels. Combine spinach with cream, Swiss cheese and 1/2 cup almonds; mix in garlic, horseradish, salt and pepper. Place artichoke bottoms on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Mound spinach mixture on artichokes; sprinkle with remaining almonds., Bake until almonds turn golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.

FLORENTINE DIP

Steps:

• Using a wooden spoon, blend the cream cheese and anchovy paste together in a medium bowl. Add the sour cream, parsley, chives, capers, lemon juice and garlic, season with salt and pepper, then stir until well blended. Place in the refrigerator for several hours to season.
• Spoon the dip into a bowl and serve with sliced vegetables or potato chips, or both.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place spinach in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on medium power for 6 minutes. Remove cover and stir. Remove to a strainer and let cool.
• While the spinach is cooking, butterfly the chicken without cutting all the way through. Whisk egg and water together in a small bowl. Unfold pastry sheet and cut down the folds to make 3 equal pieces.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add chicken. Saute until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.
• Squeeze spinach to remove excess water. Combine spinach with garlic, lemon juice, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, thyme, salt, and pepper; mix well.
• Put 1/3 of the spinach mixture in each open chicken breast and top with a 1 slice of provolone cheese. Fold the top of each chicken breast in order to sandwich the spinach and cheese in between. Place each chicken breast on a piece of puff pastry; wrap the pastry around the breast and tuck underneath to seal. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and brush with egg wash.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pastry is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

FLUFFY HERBED APPETIZER PUFFS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper. In 2-quart saucepan, heat water, butter and salt to rolling boil over medium heat. When butter is melted, remove from heat; stir in flour all at once until blended.
• Return to medium heat; cook 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly, until dough forms a ball and leaves a slight film on side of pan.
• Remove from heat; stir in eggs, one at a time, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Stir in Parmesan cheese, chives and basil. On cookie sheets, drop by heaping teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart into 1 1/4-inch mounds, making 30 mounds.
• Bake about 20 minutes or until golden brown and set. Remove from oven; with tip of sharp knife, make small slit in side of each puff to allow steam to escape. Bake 5 to 8 minutes longer or until dry and firm.