Wednesday 31 October 2012

Not Quite Rock and Roll

Yesterday, for the first time ever, I made rough puff pastry. I'd always considered it a step too far... all that turning, rolling and resting sounded far too complicated when supermarkets sell the stuff. But if I'm going to stick to my challenge and try everything in this book, then it had to be tackled. And to my surprise it wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined. In fact after the initial mixing and rolling, I found that the frequent resting periods where all you have to do is leave the pastry in the fridge were perfect for getting back in the studio and stitching. And just as I got bored with 20 minutes continuous machine stitching it was time to get back in the kitchen and do another turn and roll. A perfect combination.... Turn, Roll & Stitch!
 
 
 I do think that the cooking times in the book are a little suspect  (either that or my oven is not the correct temperature) as they were definitely not cooked after half hour. So I cranked up the heat a little and left them for another five minutes... still not cooked. Decided they needed yet another five minutes, took my cup of tea and went to sit in the comfort of the sofa and picked up a magazine. Fifteen minutes later, I jumped to my feet, shouting obsenities... "I've forgotten the *beep* sausage rolls... Oh *beep* *BEEP*!!!... they're ruined!" But it was decided by the rest of the family who had come running to the kitchen to see what all the noise was about that although they were a little more golden than I may have liked they were not ruined. And they've gone off in the lunch boxes this morning so I'll know the verdict later. I have to admit that they smelled pretty good... almost enough to make me eat meat again.
 
Who knows... I might even be back with some stitching later.

14 comments:

  1. Hmm sausage rolls. I would have to make them myself to get anything like it here in Latvia. They have a bread pastry equivalent but not a puff pastry. Now I am tempted to do something like that, not sure if I should thank you or not :D

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  2. They look delicious even if a little more tanned than usual. Glad you rescued them in time. My oven is the other way and I have to take a look well before the end of some cooking times.

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  3. Oh yum! they do look good.

    I think my oven is definitely lacking in heat compared to most recipes.

    C
    xx

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  4. They look well worth the effort, pale pastry is an abomination so yours looks perfect to me.

    My daughter surprised me some years ago when she told a friend that she loved sausage rolls 'but Mum never makes them!' I had never even thought about making them...bad mother?

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  5. I am sure that Mick Jagger would give it all up for a perfect sausage roll!

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  6. Ooh yum - I can almost smell them from here! That's a great challenge to cook everything from the book - can't wait to see more of your results :o)

    xx

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  7. I think it's all worth the effort, much better than the bought variety. I usually make 2lbs at a time and then freeze it in small batches

    Annya

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  8. I made rough puff pastry once when I was at school. That was enough to put me of cooking, just seems like far too much effort and then you have to clean up all the mess!

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  9. Oh no Gina don't go back to the dark side and eat meat again!! Use your new skill of puff pastry making to make veggie rolls! :)
    I admire you for making your puff pastry, I don't think I've made it since cookery lessons in school.
    Good idea to combine cooking and crafting!
    Vivienne x

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  10. I have absolutely no idea how you can have hot fresh-baked sausage rolls in the house and NOT eat one! Or three! Vegetables are all well and good, but nothing beats a good homemade sausage roll!

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  11. Oh Gina, your pastry creations looks rather delish to me! I volunteer to help you with any remaining samples.

    xo

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  12. I can't tell you how badly I want a sausage roll right now. But rough puff is not in my skills repertoire. Thank heaven for ready made supermarket stuff!

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  13. Well done for multi tasking with the sewing and cooking! They look yummy!

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