This quick puff pastry rises well – almost 75% as much as classic puff pastry and is much quicker to make. Tightly wrapped in cling film, it will keep for 3 days in the fridge, and for at least 4 weeks in the freezer.
MAKES 1.2KG
500g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
500g very cold butter, cut into small cubes
1 tsp fine sea salt
250ml ice-cold water
Heap the flour in a mound on a clean work surface and make a well. Put in the butter and salt and work them together with the fingertips of one hand, gradually drawing the flour into the centre with the other hand.
When the cubes of butter have become small pieces and the dough is grainy, gradually add the iced water and mix until it is all incorporated, but don’t overwork the dough. Roll it into a ball, wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Flour the work surface and roll out the pastry into a 40 x 20cm rectangle. Fold it into three and give it a quarter-turn. Roll the block of pastry into a 40 x 20cm rectangle as before, and fold it into three again. These are the first 2 turns. Wrap the block in cling film and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
Give the chilled pastry another 2 turns, rolling and folding as before. This makes a total of 4 turns. Wrap the pastry in cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using.