Pastry squares: two flavors for a tantalizing aperitif

Pastry squares are a type of baked pastry that are typically made by cutting puff pastry into small squares and baking them until golden brown and crispy. They are a versatile pastry that can be served as a sweet or savory snack or used as a base for appetizers or desserts.

To make pastry squares, you will need puff pastry dough which can be found in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 package puff pastry dough (thawed)
• 1 egg (beaten)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Roll out the puff pastry dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
3. Cut the dough into equal-sized squares using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
4. Place the pastry squares on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Brush the beaten egg over the top of each pastry square.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the pastry squares are puffed up and golden brown.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving.

You can serve the pastry squares plain or fill them with your favorite sweet or savory ingredients. Some popular fillings include chocolate and hazelnut spread, fruit jam, cream cheese and smoked salmon, or pesto and mozzarella.