1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon prepared horseradish
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 can (6 ounces) lump crabmeat, drained
4 ounces sliced pancetta, chopped
1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
1/2 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a small bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients; fold in crab. In a small skillet, cook pancetta over medium heat until partially cooked but not crisp; drain on paper towels.
2. Unfold 1 sheet puff pastry. Spread half of the crab mixture to within 1/2 in. of edges. Sprinkle with half the cheese and half the pancetta.
3. Roll up the left and right sides toward the center, jelly-roll style, until rolls meet in the middle. Repeat with remaining pastry and ingredients. Refrigerate until firm enough to slice, about 30 minutes.
4. Cut each roll crosswise into 1/2-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until golden and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 15 min.
YIELD: 3 dozen.
I keep these little bursts of flavor in my freezer so they can be pulled out and popped into the oven whenever needed. Crab, pancetta and Gruyere make a sophisticated, elegant appetizer, and you can make your own variations on the filling. Try chicken and pesto, or a Mediterranean version with spinach and feta.
Nutrition Facts
1 palmier: 93 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 149mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.