Puff pastry rose

The puff pastry rose appeared in my kitchen one day when I had some salami with ham in the fridge and didn't want to let the puff pastry package expire. The muffin tray was just sitting there, and it worked perfectly for this roll shape. I didn't put anything else besides margarine and salami – it's one of those quick appetizers when you don't feel like complicating things.

Quick Info

Total time: about 35-40 minutes (including thawing the pastry)
Actual preparation time: 15-20 minutes, depending on how fast you move
Baking time: 20 minutes
Number of servings: 12 roses (or however many you get, depending on the size of the slices)
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: savory, quick appetizer

Ingredients

1 piece of puff pastry (usually a standard sheet)
12 slices of salami with ham (you can also use just salami or just ham, the slices should be thin)
Margarine or oil for greasing (margarine is more classic here, but you can use oil if you don't have anything else on hand)

Preparation method

1. Take the puff pastry out of the freezer and let it thaw completely. If you're in a hurry, it can also thaw at room temperature, but it shouldn't be too soft, as it becomes difficult to work with.
2. In the meantime, melt the margarine – it doesn't need much, just enough to brush the sheets thinly, about 2-3 tablespoons.
3. Slice the salami with ham as thinly as you can. If they are already slices, cut them in half lengthwise to make them easier to roll and to avoid too much filling in one rose.
4. Cut the thawed puff pastry into thin strips, about 2 cm wide. They don't have to be identical, the important thing is that they are roughly the same size so they bake evenly.
5. Brush each strip of puff pastry with a thin layer of melted margarine, just on one side.
6. Place the halves of salami on the greased side, slightly overlapping if you want them to look better after baking. If the slices are smaller, use two to cover the entire length of the strip.
7. Roll each strip with salami as tightly as possible so that they don't come apart while baking.
8. Place the rolls in the muffin tray, with the cut side down. Don't press them too hard, as the pastry rises quite a bit.
9. Put the tray in the preheated oven at a suitable temperature (180°C is suitable if you are using an electric oven) for 20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown and the pastry is baked.
10. Remove them from the tray while they are warm, so they don't stick.

Why I make this recipe often

It's a quick appetizer when I need something that looks good but don't feel like chopping or cooking a lot. They can be made with whatever you have on hand. They fit any festive meal or when friends come over, but sometimes I also make them as a snack when I have leftover ingredients in the fridge.

Tips and variations

Tips

Let the puff pastry thaw completely, but don't let it sit too long in a warm place, otherwise it becomes sticky and hard to work with.
Don't put too much filling – if there are too many slices of salami or ham, the roses won't bake evenly.
If the pastry sticks to the surface, sprinkle a little flour on the surface before cutting.

Substitutions

You can use oil instead of margarine if you don't have anything else. Any type of salami, ham, or sliced deli meat works, as long as it's not too thick.
If you don't have a muffin tray, you can place the rolls directly on a regular tray, but they will tend to lose their shape a bit.

Variations

You can add a thin slice of cheese between the pastry and salami for a little extra flavor, but be careful not to let it ooze out while baking.
Instead of salami with ham, you can make vegetarian versions with thinly sautéed vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini), but they shouldn't be wet.
For those who prefer, you can sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds on top before baking.

Serving ideas

They work well as an appetizer on a platter, warm or at room temperature.
They can be packed for a trip or picnic.
They can be served with a simple yogurt or mustard dip.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can the recipe be made with homemade dough?
Yes, but it takes much longer. Store-bought puff pastry is quick and turns out well.

2. Can the rolls be frozen before baking?
They can be frozen raw, but after baking the texture won't be the same crispy. If you freeze them raw, don't thaw them before baking.

3. Can they be made with other types of deli meat?
Yes, any kind of salami, ham, or even thinly sliced chicken breast.

4. What can I do if I don't have a muffin tray?
A regular tray works too, but the rolls will spread more and won't have the same compact shape.

5. Why don't they bake well in the middle?
Usually, if the pastry is rolled too thick or if there's too much filling, the middle remains wet. Smaller rolls and thin slices bake better.

Nutritional values

Estimate (for 1 rose): 110-130 kcal, depending on the type of salami and the amount of margarine.
Fat: 7-9 g
Carbohydrates: 8-10 g
Protein: 3-4 g
These values are approximate, as they depend on how much margarine you use and the type of salami. If you add more salami or cheese, the calories increase.

Storage and reheating

They are best fresh, on the day they are made. If leftovers remain, they can be stored covered in the fridge, but the pastry softens a bit. They can be reheated for 3-4 minutes in the oven, but not in the microwave, as they become rubbery. I do not recommend keeping them for more than a day or two.