Puff Pastry Bites With Gouda And Spiced Rum Cranberry Sauce Recipes

GOOEY GOUDA PUFF-PASTRY BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to an approximately 11-by-16-inch rectangle. Trim edges straight to a 10-by-15-inch rectangle. With the tines of a fork, prick pastry all over at 1/2-inch intervals. Cut into twenty-four 2 1/2-inch squares (a 4-by-6 grid). Press each square into the cup of a mini muffin tin. Spoon 1/4 teaspoon Dijon into bottom of each pastry shell. Refrigerate until pastry is firm, at least 15 minutes.
• Bake until pastry cups are puffed, golden along edges, and beginning to set, about 15 minutes. Working quickly, remove from oven and press a cube of cheese into center of each pastry with the handle of a wooden spoon. (Cheese should depress pastry to reach bottom of cup.)
• Continue baking until pastry is golden brown and cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes more. Let cool in tins a few minutes. Transfer to a serving tray, top with jam, and sprinkle with pepper. Serve warm.

RUM VANILLA CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, gently stir all ingredients over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 35 minutes. Remove from heat; cool.

BRIE IN PUFF PASTRY WITH CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan, mix cranberries, brown sugar and orange juice. Heat to boiling, stirring frequently; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens and cranberries are tender. Stir in orange peel; remove from heat.
• In 8-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook almonds in butter, stirring frequently, until golden brown; remove from heat.
• Heat oven to 400°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. On lightly floured surface, roll pastry into 16x9-inch rectangle. Cut out one 8 1/2-inch circle and one 7-inch circle from pastry.
• Place cheese round on center of large circle. Spoon cranberry sauce and almonds over cheese. Bring pastry up and press around side of cheese. Brush top edge of pastry with egg. Place 7-inch circle on top, pressing around edge to seal. Brush top and side of pastry with egg. Cut decorations from remaining pastry and arrange on top; brush with egg. Place on cookie sheet.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet on wire rack 1 hour before serving. Serve with crackers.