Monday, March 15, 2010

Apple Turnovers

Ever have a fear that was seemingly so overwhelming that you thought you'd never be able to face it down and when you finally do, you have to wonder what all the confounded flap was about?  That was me and frozen puff pastry.  For years I was afraid of trying it. They said that puff pastry was difficult to work with.  Now, I don't recall exactly who they are but they are grossly overstating puff pastry finickiness.  This was no more difficult than working with frozen pie crust.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy.  I'm going to go out and buy a carton of this stuff. 

Vrinda, my friend on Sankeerthanam, made these the other day and after seeing how golden and flaky they were, I could not resist.  I love turnovers and up until now have only made them at home using pie crust.  After this, it's puff pastry every time!

This is an Ina Garten recipe, and is very very good.  Personally, the next time I make these I'm going to omit the dried cherries (although they do add a nice burst of flavor and color; it's just I'm more of a purist) and add a nice drizzle of glaze.

These work up quickly, if you remember to take the puff pastry out to defrost ~ memo to self ~ before you need it.

Apple Turnovers
(Ina Garten of the Food Network)

1 package (17.3 ounces, 2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted.  Preheat oven to 400*F. 

1 teaspoon grated orange zest
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
1 1/4 pounds tart apples, such as Empire or Granny Smith ( about 3 smallish apples)
3 tablespoons dried cherries
3 tablespoons sugar, plus extra to sprinkle on top
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour **
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon **
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg **
Pinch kosher salt


1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

Follow the directions on the back of the box to defrost the puff pastry, planning on a good 40 to 60 minutes for the pastry to defrost.

Wash and dry the outside of the orange and then zest the orange part of the peel into a medium bowl.  Add the orange juice and then add the dried cherries to rehydrate them.

Peel and core the apples and then cut them in 3/4-inch dice. Immediately toss the apples with the zest and juice to prevent them from turning brown. Add the sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Flour a board and lightly roll each sheet of puff pastry to a 12 by 12-inch square. Cut each sheet into 4 smaller squares and keep chilled until ready to use

Brush the edges of each square with the egg wash and neatly place about 1/3 cup of the apple mixture on half of the square.

Fold the pastry diagonally over the apple mixture  to make a tricorner and seal by pressing the edges with a fork. Trim any uneven edges with a sharp knife. 

Transfer to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

Brush the top with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, make 2 small slits to allow steam to escape.

Bake for 20 minutes, until browned and puffed. Serve warm or at room temperature.

**My apples looked a little juicy and upped the flour to 2 tablespoons.  Worked perfectly.
**C'mon 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon?  I added 1/2 teaspoon!
**I use freshly grated nutmeg, which tends to be stronger and more vibrant in flavor than the the pre-grated spice, but even eyeballing it, I probably had a good 1/4 teaspoon.  Go easy on this one though this is a spice that can easily become overpowering. 

Now to make puff pastry from scratch.  Someday....right now that's a bugaboo...

55 comments:

  1. Those look beautiful! I've never used puff pastry either. I need to walk on the wild side and just do it :)

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  2. I've made a few things with puff pastry but never turnovers. I would love to try these. I keep promising myself I would bake less and cook more because my pants are getting tight, but I just LOVE baking vs. cooking!!!!

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  3. I love all of the goodies in this apple turnover filling. This is just wonderful!

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  4. Sounds quick and delicious. I think I'd add a drizzle too!

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  5. Congratulations on facing your fear! These look perfectly flakey and delicious. :)

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  6. You're afraid of frozen puff pastry...I'm afraid of homemade puff pastry...puff pastry is just a scary thing! but these look so excellent...I might just have to give them a shot.

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  7. I don't have much experience with puff pastry either! But these look so scrumptious I might have to buy some. What a yummy filling wrapped in all that flaky goodness!

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  8. It is always wonderful to visit you and see what you are up to. I love these. I have a package of puff pastry in the freezer but I think I am too busy to use it, right now. I will try to remember this delicious looking recipe.

    Should I ask, Do you make won-tons, egg rolls,etc. If not, you have a new assignment, at your leisure, Katy. I value your friendship too much to boss you around. Now, let's see those won-tons.

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  9. These look scrumptious! I would have added extra cinnamon too :-)
    Dave over at Year on the Grill makes his own puff pastry! It was a while ago but I'm sure he'd be happy to give you the link if you're interested.

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  10. Yes I saw this turnovers at Vrinda's blog too. Looks great and tasty.

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  11. Now I guess I can try puff pastry also. Thanks again for great recipes.

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  12. Apple goodness. I'm so making this - not even waiting for apples to come back in season. I can taste the filling.

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  13. Oh my...you and me both...I am now going to have to try that puff pastry! And these look so professional! I must try them, thanks dear Katy for sharing the recipe with us....

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  14. Ha!!! You know I know exactly what you're talking about! :)

    Man everywhere I turn is an apple something or other. It's an omen that I use mine for baking. Especially as my kiddos love apple-y desserts.

    Btw, Miss Katy, homemade puff pastry is on my "to make" list. Just as with my cinnamon rolls, I'm gonna do it! You with me? Yea! :) Okay, I'm getting a wee bit carried away.
    ~ingrid

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  15. Those look so tasty...very nice :)

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  16. I love puff pastry! SO versatile. I used to teach a whole lesson to my high schoolers, assigning each of them a recipe that we all shared at the end of class. YUM! These apple turnovers are gorgeous and they sound so delicious. Good work!

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  17. I just love the way you express yourself Katy! :) This recipe looks so yummy and so easy. I'd love to try it with cherry pie filling. YUM!

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  18. WOW Katy..looks too good,crispy golden brown..easy and delicious treat,right?Thanks for mentioning abt our blog....looks perfect

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  19. These look fantastic Katy! "They" also told me that puff pastry is hard to work with and I haven't gotten up the courage to try it. Now, after reading about your sucess, I'm going to try your turnovers. I love them, but like you have always used pie crust. Thanks!

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  20. Your turnovers came out perfect! Super delicious with apple filling!

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  21. They look beautiful, flakey and delicious.
    Mimi

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  22. Oh Katy, these are my favourite tea bread! I wanna join you for tea.... Can I?

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  23. Katy, I am drooling all over these flakey apple turnovers!

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  24. I think the puff pastry of decades ago was harder to work with. Your turnovers look beautiful and just perfect for Sunday morning!! Thanks for sharing.

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  25. Same here-still havent made my own puff pastry but i know i must and sooonnnnnn...
    these look real delightfull and would love them for tea this afternoon ....and i aint having lunch so will take need large helpings:-)))))

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  26. I'm with Joanne... I'm afraid of homemade puff pastry... I have the commercial stuff down pretty well... but ... before I tried it... like you.. I was intimidated.. guess we all need to just take a deep breath and try it... so what's the worst that can happen... you end up eating a not so perfect thing...

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  27. My fear of puff pastry is right up there with pie crust. Your post is quite encouraging, Katy. I'll put apple turnovers on my list as a someday recipe to try.

    Yours look like little puffs of golden goodness!!!

    Thanks for the sharing...

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  28. Now this I could wrap my lips around. Looks so flakey and tender. I'm a purist too. Give me the glaze over the cherries too!

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  29. Now this I could wrap my lips around. Looks so flakey and tender. I'm a purist too. Give me the glaze over the cherries too!

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  30. Oh Katy you did a fantastic job of making these puff pastries..I love 'em!
    I'm smiling at 'easy peasy lemon squeezy'..that will be my new line:)

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  31. These look so scrumptious! You're not the only who's scared of frozen puff pastry, me too. You did a great job Katy, they look so delicious!
    Cheers

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  32. oh wow, if i could wish for anything right now, it would probably be for one of those pastries! delicious!

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  33. Can't go wrong with a little extra cinnamon :). The flakeyness on these has my mouth watering!

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  34. Katy... what a beautiful thing! I love this dessert

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  35. Beautiful treat, Katy..love the flaky texture :-)

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  36. Perfect i believe from thic pic..

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  37. Oh these are wonderful and I love that there are dried cherries in this recipe - a nice combination of sweet and tart!

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  38. Just found your blog Katy - very nice!

    I was the same way with puff pastry, until I also saw Ina Garten on the FN do this...it's one of our favorite appetizers now.

    2 sheets puff pastry
    dijon mustard
    sliced ham
    muenster or swiss cheese

    Lay puff pastry sheet down on greased baking sheet. Spread with mustard, then ham, then cheese, lay other puff pastry sheet on top. Seal edges, brush with egg white and cut a few slits. Bake until golden brown. Cut up in slices and enjoy!

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  39. Yum! Puff pastry is great with so many things: sweet and savory. Apple turnovers sound delicious.

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  40. Hey katy ,how come i missed an amazing blogger like you these days? Your blog is wonderful.Following you.I love apple,cannot be without an apple a day.Apple turnovers looks so decadent n would love to have a bite.Will try the recipe soon.Thanks for sharing.

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  41. I know exactly what you mean because that happens to me on occassion with the daring bakers.

    Katey here is my challenge to you. Make puff pastry- its easy- really easy just time consuming. But no more time consuming than layered jello.

    And after you make it you can freeze half. Even easier to work with than the store bought one.

    And I say all this because I know you can do it. I think you underestimate yourself!

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  42. Yum-O! These are beautiful and I know they're delicious ,-)
    My grammy used to make apple turnovers every Thanksgiving, they were my favorite!

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  43. These look gorgeous Katy :) Such a lovely looking treat I'd say!!

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  44. Hey this is such a lovely n yummy recipe...would love to have it anytime of the day!!!

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  45. Your fruit turnovers stopped me in my tracks....I love fruit turnovers!!! Seriously, you were hesistant to work with puff pastry? You are such a fabulous baker, I would have thought that you used it all the time.

    You have posted another delicious treat!

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  46. These look and sound wonderful. You'd never guess from their appearance that you were at all timid about working with puff pastry. You did a great job.

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  47. Hi Kkkkkkaty. Would you believe I had one yesterday? I did. Down my mom's home. A friend of my mother's bought them at this place called Peter's Bakery that has been around forever and they are really good. I love Ina Garten. I have her Paris cookbook and a couple of others. Your apple turnover looks delish. You did a great job with the pastry. Have a great Friday.

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  48. I love turnovers. I've never made them! This recipe looks like a nice one! I really like the cherries with the apples. ;)

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  49. Oh Katy- These turnovers are beautiful! Definitely one of my faves! Yum!

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  50. Glad you overcame your fear of puff pastry. Your turnovers look lovely - like the idea of a drizzle on them. I have been toying with the idea of making puff pastry from scratch, but have been intimidated by all of the layering involved.

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  51. Katy, your turnovers look WONDERFUL! I wish I could taste one! I have my own set of fears in the kitchen...homemade marshmallows...ask Cyndy, she'll tell ya! :)

    Now that you've overcome your fear of puff pastry....try the cream filled one I made on the blog....mmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  52. The turnovers look wonderful and you have given me some courage to work with this dough. Thanks, I've got a package in the freezer that has been waiting for me. Tonight it comes out.

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  53. Shall try this soon..have some puff pastry in my freezer..I think my kids will definitely enjoy this feast..

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