Vegetable Jalousie

Vegetable jalousie is a delicious savory pastry dish that showcases a medley of colorful vegetables encased in flaky puff pastry. This recipe combines buttery pastry, a flavorful vegetable filling, and a golden crust to create an impressive and satisfying meal.

The jalousie starts with ready-prepared puff pastry, which makes the preparation process much simpler. The pastry is rolled out into two rectangles, with one slightly smaller than the other. The smaller rectangle serves as the base, while the larger one is used to cover the filling.

The vegetable filling is made by sautéing leeks, garlic, peppers, mushrooms, and asparagus until they are tender and fragrant. A mixture of flour, vegetable stock, milk, and white wine is then added to create a thick and creamy sauce. Chopped fresh oregano, salt, and pepper are stirred in to enhance the flavors.

The smaller rectangle of pastry is placed on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, and the vegetable filling is spooned evenly on top. The larger rectangle is then placed on top and sealed by pressing the edges together. The entire jalousie is brushed with beaten egg to create a glossy golden crust.

After baking in the oven until risen and golden, the vegetable jalousie is ready to be served. The combination of the buttery puff pastry and the flavorful vegetable filling creates a delightful contrast of textures and tastes. This dish can be enjoyed as a main course or as a part of a larger meal, and it is sure to impress your family and guests.

INGREDIENTS

• 500g/1lb 2oz ready-prepared puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten, to glaze

For the filling

• 25g/1oz butter
• 1 leek, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
• 1 yellow pepper, seeded and sliced
• 50g/2oz mushrooms, wiped with damp kitchen paper and sliced
• 75g/3oz small fresh asparagus spears, ends trimmed
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 100ml/3 1/2fl oz vegetable stock
• 100ml/3 1/2fl oz milk
• 4 tablespoons dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• Salt and ground black pepper

PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6.
2. In a frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped leek and crushed garlic, and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Add the sliced red and yellow peppers, sliced mushrooms, and trimmed asparagus spears to the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
4. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for 1 minute.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually stir in the vegetable stock, milk, and white wine. Return the pan to the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, until thickened.
6. Stir in the chopped fresh oregano and season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
7. Roll out half of the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to form a rectangle measuring 38 x 15cm/15 x 6in. Roll out the other half of the pastry to a slightly larger rectangle.
8. Place the smaller rectangle of pastry on a baking tray lined with dampened baking parchment.
9. Spoon the vegetable filling evenly on top of the smaller pastry rectangle, leaving a 1cm/1/2in margin around the edges.
10. Using a sharp knife, cut parallel diagonal slits across the larger pastry rectangle, stopping 2cm/1in from each of the long edges.
11. Brush the edges of the smaller pastry rectangle with beaten egg. Carefully place the larger pastry rectangle on top, pressing the edges to seal.
12. Brush the entire jalousie with beaten egg to glaze.
13. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the jalousie is risen and golden.
14. Serve the vegetable jalousie immediately.

YIELD

This recipe serves 4 people.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

• For added flavor, you can sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the vegetable filling before sealing the pastry.
• Feel free to customize the vegetable filling according to your preferences. You can add or substitute other vegetables such as zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or spinach.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can replace the butter with olive oil and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.

TIPS

• Ensure that the vegetables are cooked until they are tender but still retain some texture for a satisfying bite.
• Let the jalousie cool slightly before serving to allow the filling to set and the pastry to crisp up.

Vegetable jalousie is a delightful dish that combines the buttery richness of puff pastry with a flavorful and colorful vegetable filling. With its flaky golden crust and creamy interior, this recipe offers a satisfying and visually appealing meal.

The jalousie begins with ready-prepared puff pastry, which makes the preparation process convenient and time-saving. The pastry is rolled out into two rectangles, with one serving as the base and the other as the top crust. The smaller rectangle is placed on a baking tray, and the flavorful vegetable filling is spooned evenly on top.

The vegetable filling is created by sautéing leeks, garlic, peppers, mushrooms, and asparagus until they are tender. A mixture of flour, vegetable stock, milk, and white wine is added to create a creamy sauce, which is then seasoned with fresh oregano, salt, and ground black pepper.

Once the filling is added, the larger rectangle of pastry is placed on top and sealed by pressing the edges together. The jalousie is then brushed with beaten egg to create a glossy glaze and baked in the oven until it rises and turns golden.

The result is a visually striking dish with a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The buttery and flaky puff pastry provides a delicious contrast to the creamy vegetable filling. The combination of sautéed leeks, peppers, mushrooms, and asparagus creates a flavorful and satisfying filling that is bound together by the creamy sauce.

Vegetable jalousie is best served immediately, allowing you to enjoy the contrasting textures and flavors at their best. This dish can be served as a main course, accompanied by a side salad or steamed vegetables, or as part of a larger meal.

With its impressive presentation and delicious taste, vegetable jalousie is a versatile dish that can be served for both casual family meals and special occasions. Enjoy the satisfying and comforting flavors of this delectable pastry creation.