

Mushroom Palmiers

This is an easy, elegant and delicious appetizer from my friends Justina and Glenn, adapted from their friend Susan LeTerneau’s recipe. The Palmiers make a fantastic appetizer. Make it ahead and keep several in the freezer for all your holiday guests!
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1 pound fresh mushrooms (Glenn uses Crimini, I use button and both are good)
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1 ½ medium onions, peeled and quartered
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5 T Earth Balance or other vegan “butter”
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2 T flour
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1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
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1 ½ tsp. dried thyme or 2 T finely chopped fresh thyme
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17¼-ounce box (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed
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Salt and pepper
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¼ tsp. Tabasco – optional (Glenn does not use)
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Soymilk for brushing (optional)
In food processor, finely chop the mushrooms. Transfer them to a plate and set aside. Add the onion to a food processor and finely chop. In a large skillet, melt the Earth Balance over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and onion and cook, stirring occasionally for about 8 minutes or until the juices evaporate. Add the flour, lemon juice, thyme, and Tabasco (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and cook another 2 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Place 1 pastry sheet on a flat surface. Unfold then spread ½ of the mushroom/onion mixture over the sheet. For a pretty design, roll up the pastry sheet from both ends, meeting in the center and then gently pressing together. You can also just roll the entire thing from one side, which is easier in my opinion. Repeat with the remaining pastry sheet.
Tightly wrap each roll in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Freeze the Palimers for 1 hour. At this point, you can leave the Palimers in the freezer or partially thaw and bake them.
When you are ready to enjoy the Palmiers, remove one or both from the freezer and let them partially thaw. Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. When the Palmiers are partially thawed, slice them into ¼-inch thick slices, using a serrated knife. Place (cut side down if you rolled them from both ends) on an ungreased baking sheet, 1 inch apart. Brush soymilk over the tops of the Palmiers if you prefer a glossy finish. Bake 18-20 minutes. Serve hot.
This recipe makes about 3 dozen from two sheets, depending on how thinly your slice the Palmiers.