puff pastry - explain it to me like I'm five

[passthewine]

I'm seeing things that are made with puff pastry and they look sooo good. I've tried using it and apparently I'm not smart enough to use this stuff.
For example, I wanted to make this MS recipe: www.marthastewart.com/318340/asparagus-gruyere-tart?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/spring-produce-recipes¢er=276955&gallery=275174&slide=284861

When you open the box and unroll it, there are many sheets of puff pastry. The recipe says "1 sheet frozen puff pastry"... but it can't really only be one sheet, there's no puff to one sheet. Can somebody explain this whole thing to me? I can't figure out why I have such a hard time with something that's supposed to be a simple ingredient.

[udscoobychick]

Sounds like you're confusing phyllo dough and puff pastry. They're both sold in the freezer section, in similar boxes, so it's an easy mistake to make! Double-check what it says on the box. Puff pastry comes a bit thicker than pre-made pie shells, and it comes in a rectangle that is folded into thirds (like a letter). You thaw it and unfold it. Phyllo dough comes in paper-thin sheets that you usually sandwich together with melted butter to make things like baklava.

[passthewine]

Dec 10, 2012 17:10:01 GMT -5 udscoobychick said:

Sounds like you're confusing phyllo dough and puff pastry. They're both sold in the freezer section, in similar boxes, so it's an easy mistake to make! Double-check what it says on the box. Puff pastry comes a bit thicker than pre-made pie shells, and it comes in a rectangle that is folded into thirds (like a letter). You thaw it and unfold it. Phyllo dough comes in paper-thin sheets that you usually sandwich together with melted butter to make things like baklava.

This could explain why I had a hard time
Now I need to figure out something to do with my phyllo dough.

I can't believe I never knew they weren't the same thing. I really need to expand outside of my cooking/baking bubble and learn to work with more ingredients.

Thanks!

[simpsongal]

Another tip - Trader Joe's carries puff pasty made w/butter. The Pillsbury kind in regular grocery stores just isn't as good.

[mrsukyankee]

www.yummly.com/recipe/Baked-Brie-Goodness-I-Adore-Food-55277

Totally a fab holiday recipe using the phyllo dough!

[passthewine]

Dec 16, 2012 16:09:28 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

www.yummly.com/recipe/Baked-Brie-Goodness-I-Adore-Food-55277

Totally a fab holiday recipe using the phyllo dough!

I think I'll give this a shot for Christmas. Is the cranberry and mustard good? sounds like an odd combo to me.