Puff Pastry Perfection

Directions

1. 1
   Work with one sheet of pastry at a time, keeping others refrigerated.
2. 2
   Unroll pastry on a lightly floured board, countertop, or pastry cloth.
3. 3
   Handle pastry as little as possible to ensure flakiness.
4. 4
   Cut with a sharp knife, pastry wheel, or pizza cutter.
5. 5
   Seal filled pastries by brushing a water-and-egg mixture on inside edges before pressing together.
6. 6
   Preheat the oven. Puff pastry needs high heat to release the steam that causes it to rise properly.
7. 7
   Line baking sheets with parchment paper for even browning and easier cleanup.
8. 8
   Always reheat pastry in an oven; microwaves yield soggy results.