Mozzarella and Basil Puff Pastry Twists

When I first started my blog I told you all what a picky eater I am and that I was working on broadening my food horizons. That was a year ago and although I've tried new kinds of foods that I've never had before, my picky ways have not changed. So even though I'm trying new things, I figured it might be time to try to make foods that incorporate ingredients I love but in a different way. I am a sucker for cheese and bread so when I came across this recipe for Mozzarella and Basil Puff Pastry Twists I was excited. Puff Pastry is something I am terrified to work with but I've heard its one of those things you can't knock until you try it. I can't wait to make these this week. I'll definitely be giving you an update on how it went!

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Unfold puff pastry dough onto a lightly floured surface. With a rolling pin, roll dough into a 9x13 rectangle (measurement is only approximate). Using a pastry scraper or a pizza cutter, cut dough down the middle.
3. Whisk together egg and water and brush the egg wash on each rectangle of puff pastry dough (only on one side) and reserve the leftover egg wash.
4. Mix together the Mozzarella cheese, basil and Cayenne pepper and sprinkle mixture over one of the rectangles. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
5. Place the other half of the pastry (egg side down) on top of the cheese mixture and press the two halves together using your hands or roll lightly with the rolling pin. Gently press edges to seal.
6. Using the pastry scraper or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into 1/2 inch strips.
7. Working one at a time, gently twist each strip and lay on the baking sheet making sure to press down the ends so that they don't curl when baking. When all of the strips have been twisted and placed on the baking sheet, lightly brush each twist with the remaining egg wash.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the twists are golden brown.
9. Remove from the oven and serve warm.