Perfect puff pastry pies: A festive delight in under 30 minutes
Preparing a traditional Christmas Eve dinner requires time and effort. To simplify the process, it is advisable to plan tasks over a few days to avoid rushing all the dishes at the last minute. Choosing dishes that can be prepared on the hob and in the oven is also beneficial. Puff pastry pies can be ready in less than half an hour, provided you prepare the filling in advance.
29 November 2024 18:02
The secret to successful pies for borscht is their rich filling. The dough should not overpower; it should merely encase the filling. A shop-bought sheet of puff pastry works perfectly in this role. The buttery and crispy layer complements the aromatic filling of sauerkraut and wild mushrooms.
How to prepare the filling for puff pastry pies?
You need about 30 grams of dried mushrooms. They can be porcini, boletus, or a mixture of various types. Soak them in warm water and leave them for an hour. After this time, they should become soft. Remove, drain, and chop them into small cubes. Don't discard the mushroom water; it will be useful in the next step.
Heat a pan, add a tablespoon of butter, and sauté finely chopped onion. When it smells fragrant, add the chopped mushrooms. Squeeze the sauerkraut, place it in the pan, and pour in the mushroom-soaking water. Add salt, pepper, two bay leaves, and allspice. Leave it in the pan until the water evaporates. Check if the cabbage and mushrooms are soft. If not, add more water and heat for a while longer. Transfer the finished filling to a bowl and let it cool.
Can you use frozen mushrooms for the pie filling?
You can certainly use mushrooms sautéed with onion in the freezer if you have them. Place them on a heated pan, and once they soften, add the squeezed sauerkraut. A bit of butter won't hurt. Also, ensure there are enough spices.
Recipe for quick pies to serve with Christmas Eve borscht
Once you have the prepared and cooled filling, you can remove the puff pastry. Immediately preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Preparing the pies will only take about 5 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry,
- 1 egg,
- sauerkraut and wild mushroom filling.
Instructions:
- Beat the egg in a small bowl. Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a board and cut it in half lengthwise.
- Place the previously prepared filling along the longer edge of each piece. Brush the opposite edge with the egg. Starting from the filling side, roll the dough into a roll. Cut into pies about 4 centimetres wide.
- Place the pies on a large baking tray lined with baking paper. Brush the tops with the remaining egg. You can also sprinkle them with nigella seeds or sesame seeds.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
