A couple of things to do with leftover puff pastry

Winter is coming and it is important to build up a sturdy layer of fat.  We need it for warmth you see.

All that pie-making will inevitably leave the solitary diner with left over puff pastry.

Here are a couple of ideas.

Firstly you will need to pre heat the oven to 200C then stamp out some (4-5 inch) pastry circles or squares with the leftover dough. Then bake them for 5 minutes at 200C and 10 minutes at 180C or until puffed up and golden brown.  Cool and store in an airtight tin or tupperware.  They will happily keep in this state for at least a month.

Individual apple pie

You will need

1 pre-cooked pastry circle or square
1 bramley cooking apple (or 2 eating/dessert apples)
If you are using bramley 1-2 teaspoons (you decide - taste it) of sugar, if using eating apples 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
A pinch of cinnamon
A sprinkle of icing sugar
A squirt of lemon juice


Method

Pre-heat the oven to 180C

Peel, core and slice the apple(s).  Drop into water to which you have added a squirt of lemon juice.
Drain the apple slices but do not shake dry.

Put into a saucepan with the cinnamon and the sugar and heat gently to simmering point and continue to cook until you have a lovely apple sauce - about 5 minutes.  You might need to add a touch more water if things are looking a little dry.

Cut the top off the circle or square of puff pastry and hollow out a well in the bottom half.  Fill the hollow with apple sauce.  Top with the other circle. Sprinkle with icing sugar and bake for 10 minutes until the filling is hot.

Have with ice-cream!

Creamy mushroom pie


You will need

A handful of sliced mushrooms
A knob of butter
1 scant teaspoon of plain flour
A couple of glugs of milk
Salt and pepper

Method

Fry the mushrooms in the butter until soft and then add the flour.  Stir around for a minute or so and then remove from the heat.  Add the milk slowly stirring (frantically?) all the while.  Don't worry about lumps, all will be well.

Return to the heat and bubble a bit whilst stirring.  The lumps will go now.  Season until you are happy.

Cut the top off the circle or square of puff pastry and hollow out a well in the bottom half.  Fill the hollow with mushroom sauce.  Top with the other circle. Brush with milk and bake for for 10 minutes or so until the top is glazed and the filling hot.

Savoury and yum.  I suppose you should have some rocket or something on the side. Or not.