If you have no time to whip up an appetizer from scratch, consider gussying up some store-bought ingredients. One of my pantry favorites is puff pastry.
Buttery sheets of puff pastry are perfect for making many appetizers. You can cut the pastry sheets into different shapes and press them into baking cups. Or you can cut and twist them to make cheese straws, an appetizer favorite. This recipe uses one sheet of puff pastry to make super-easy palmiers - crispy, spiral-shaped appetizers, with hints of salty prosciutto and parmesan cheese.
You can make these ahead and freeze. Reheat in a 325-degree oven to re-crisp.
Puff Pastry Palmiers
1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
2 tablespoons honey mustard
6 thin slices prosciutto
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, plus more for sprinkling
Unfold the puff pastry sheet, pressing out the seams. Spread with honey mustard to ¼ inch from the edges. Place prosciutto slices on top and sprinkle with the 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese.
Roll up tightly into a log and place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Remove the log and slice into ¼ -inch-thick pieces. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with more parmesan. Bake until golden brown and puffed, about 10 minutes.
Makes about 24 appetizers.
Recipe adapted from the St. Petersburg Times
Food, Pages 38 on 03/05/2014