Harvest Vegetables in Puff Pastry

This past week was Jim's birthday.  Last year was the BIG celebration but we still like to celebrate birthdays with family and friends which in my mind, means food!  I love to try new combinations of food with new ideas which led me to this bundle of goodness.  It was different this year since our family consisted of his brother Gene who has moved closer to us and our fabulous friends who really are family.

While I made multiple courses for this dinner celebration, I really like how this came out.  I found a picture on the cover of the most recent Vegetarian Times and knew I wanted to make it.  Of course, I changed it up to make it my version, using what I had on hand and it actually looked pretty much the same.  Here is my take on a great side dish for the fall season.

Harvest Vegetable Puff

Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower
garlic - 1 large head
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 red onion
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. thyme
4 carrots
3 celery stalks
1 package frozen puff pastry (2 sheets)
1 egg

Directions:
Remove puff pastry from freezer and let thaw in the fridge.

Break apart cauliflower leaving one third separate.  Place the smaller bundle on a sheet pan, drizzled with olive oil.  Chop the top off the garlic and place in aluminum foil.  Drizzle with olive oil and close tightly.  Roast in a 425 oven for approximately 45 minutes.

In the meantime, chop all the remaining vegetables small.  Add olive oil to a pan and saute with the thyme for 8-12 minutes or until soft and somewhat caramelized.

Take roasted cauliflower and garlic.  Add to the food processor and puree along with the Worcestershire sauce.

Roll out both puff pastry sheets on a floured surface.  Cut four squares from each, place on a sheet pan with parchment paper and put in fridge for 15 minutes.  Spread the cauliflower puree in the middle of each, add the vegetables and close the pastry.  Brush each one with the egg wash and bake in a 425 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.  I would go more for the 15 minutes making certain the bottom is browned.  I could have left it in a few more minutes...

This is a great side dish that has a little wow factor and not too difficult to make.  I added it to a simple chicken and rice dish.  Think about it the next time you are looking to make comfort food.

Happy Birthday to my guy!  Have a fabulous weekend everyone.  A big hug and kiss from my famiglia to yours!  See you all soon...

Fino a quel momento,

Linda