Freezable shortcrust pastry recipes?

June 3, 2013 6:11 PM

For some reason, I have 4 packets of shortcrust pastry in my freezer taking up what little room I have. Can you a) recommend delicious recipes that best make use of this instead of say, puff pastry, and b) also if possible include recipes that freeze well as I'm about to have a newborn and would like to clear this space in my freezer and fill it with meals we can just defrost and cook/eat once the baby comes. Could the recipe say at what point to freeze (before or after cooking). Savoury preferred but dessert ok in a pinch. Extra points if they're toddler friendly. Even if they can't be frozen, anything that uses it up will be appreciated.
posted by Jubey to Food & Drink (3 answers total)

I have frozen pieces of this wrapped in wax paper, though it's not the most attractive thing just out of the freezer, and it should be reheated in a toaster oven or a proper oven not a microwave.

Slightly adapted from this Apple, Blue Cheese and Walnut Gorgonzola Tart.

1) I defrost it until the dough is malleable and then I roll it out almost flat, like a pizza crust. Pretty sure I often spray it with olive oil.
2) I cut the apple in crescent slivers and layer them around in a tight, overlapping spirals out from the center, not jumbled up
3) Use whatever blue cheese you like; I just loosely smack it on in little crumbles
4) I am pretty sure I've used honey as well as maple syrup
5) The thyme is really important; just dot it around attractively
6) Pecans are also nice
7) A little racked pepper is also nice on top
8) Fold over the edges, just a little

Cook until the apples are browning, the crust is crisp and crumbly near the top, and the cheese is melted and delicious. (I am not good at exact recipes, but, you know, cook it until it looks extremely delicious. Then eat it.) Really nice with fresh salad greens in lemon/olive oil/sea salt.
posted by jetlagaddict at 8:28 PM on June 3, 2013

You can make empanadas or any easy, filling that needs to be encased. Just cut out circles with round biscuit/cookie cutter and have your filling ready of ground meat or whatever and using a fork press the edges of the once folded circle. They freeze well and are very toaster ovenable. Also compact once they are frozen in a single layer and put into a freezer bag.
posted by jadepearl at 5:18 AM on June 4, 2013

It makes an impressive top crust to chicken pot pie, which you could freeze uncooked for after the baby.
posted by theora55 at 8:32 AM on June 4, 2013