PUFF PASTRY STRAWS WITH TOASTED SESAME SEEDS (recipe, pareve)

PUFF PASTRY STRAWS WITH TOASTED SESAME SEEDS P

YIELD: 80 SMALL STRAWS

The toasted sesame seeds give a wonderful flavor to the puff pastry straws. You can substitute poppy seeds if you like or use grated parmesan cheese for a dairy meal.

Prep time: 30 min.   Baking time: 15 min.

Ingredients               

1 package frozen pareve puff pastry- thawed       

8 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds               

1 egg-beaten

Equipment

Rolling pin

Pastry brush

2 large cookie sheets lined with baking parchment

Cooking racks                           

Directions

1. Preheat oven to: 400 F.
2. Roll out each pastry sheet on lightly floured surface until it measures 10 inches on each side. Brush each sheet with beaten egg.
3. Sprinkle each sheet 4 tablespoons of sesame seeds. Cut each sheet into twenty ½ inch wide long strips. Cut these strips in half before twisting them into straws. Carefully place straws on cookie sheets leaving ½ inch in between them. Bake 15 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Cool on racks before serving. These straws can be made one day in advance or frozen for future use. To recrisp them:  Defrost straws and warm them in a 325 F. oven for about 5-10 minutes.

Chilled Fresh Tomato Soup (recipe, pareve) #summer

Chilled Fresh Tomato Soup P Serves: 8

This is a light refreshing soup with a little bite. The creamy texture and mellow flavor of chopped avocado are a wonderful addition to this seasonal treat.

Prep time: 30-45 min. Chilling time:  several hours or overnight

Ingredients

¼ cup vegetable oil

¾ cup carrots-chopped (1-2 large carrots)

2 cups onions-chopped (2 medium onions)

1 tablespoon garlic-minced (2-3 large cloves)

1 teaspoon salt

4 cups vegetable broth

4 pounds ripe tomatoes-peeled, seeded, chopped

Optional-½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 ripe Haas avocados-peeled & diced

Equipment

Electric food processor

Medium skillet

5 quart soup pot

Directions

1. Heat oil in soup pot over medium flame. Add onions, carrots & garlic and sauté until vegetables are soft.
2. Add vegetable broth and salt. Stir well and simmer 20 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, stir well and simmer 5-10 minutes-just long enough for tomatoes to warm through and soften. Remove soup from heat and cool.
4. Purée soup two-three cups at a time until very smooth. Chill several hours or overnight. Taste. Add cayenne if you like a little heat.
5. To serve: Stir soup. Taste. Add more salt or pepper if needed. Ladle soup into individual soup bowls and garnish with five or six pieces of avocado in the center. Serve immediately.