I found this recipe while working at a small-town museum in West Texas. It was the appetizer for a fundraiser a long, long time ago, and it’s still a huge hit at parties. Frozen puff pastry helps make it easy and impressive.
—JUDY LOCK PANHANDLE, TX
PREP: 20 MIN. + COOLING • BAKE: 15 MIN./BATCH • MAKES: 4 DOZEN
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 pound fresh mushrooms, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
2 teaspoons water
1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms and onion; cook and stir until tender. Stir in thyme, lemon juice, hot pepper sauce and salt. Cool completely.
2. Unfold one pastry sheet. Spread half of the mushroom mixture to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up the left and right sides toward the center, jelly-roll style, until rolls meet in the middle. Cut into 24 slices. Repeat with remaining pastry and mushrooms.
3. Place on greased baking sheets. In a small bowl, whisk egg and water; brush over pastries. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.
FREEZE OPTION Freeze cooled appetizers in freezer containers, separating layers with waxed paper. To use, preheat oven to 400°. Reheat appetizers on a greased baking sheet until crisp and heated through.