Puff pastry
Don't bother making it!
Save your time for something better: buy it ready rolled, or if you want a little more work, buy it in a block and roll it yourself.
I'm sure there are others but I've found Jus-Rol to be fine.
This is one of those really neat time-saving tips!
I am not aware that Jus-Rol is one of the guilty parties referred to, but see the bottom of the packet of Dorset puff pastry. It is a little small to read, so I have reproduced it here:
- The processing aid commonly used in commercial pastry production, E920 (the derivative of animal hair and feathers) which legally need not be disclosed, are not present in this product.
Flaky pastry/ Rough puff pastry
Flaky pastry is similar to puff pastry, the difference being that large lumps of shortening 2.5 cm (1") across, as opposed to a large rectangle of shortening, are mixed into the dough, which is then rolled and folded in a similar manner.
It uses large chunks of fat because when they melt in the oven, they give off steam and create layers, which make it flaky.
Flaky pastry is sometimes called quick puff pastry or blitz puff pastry or rough puff pastry.
Use ready rolled puff pastry as a substitute for any of the pastry types listed here.
For a quick and unusual pizza, try our Prawn puff pastry pizza
Rolling out
A pastry mat is a useful aid for this.