Abigail Kirsch is one of the country's preeminent caterers. In the course of a year she serves delicious, impeccably presented food to more than 125,000 people, but--like the rest of us--her busy schedule leaves her with little time to entertain friends and family. So, for all of us who want to know: "How can I possibly cook a dinner to impress the boss without taking a sick day to do it?"
1/2 cup prepared pesto (available in the refrigerator cases of most markets)
17 1/4-ounce package or two sheets frozen puff pastry, defrosted
1 cup grated Fontina
1/4 cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano
1/2 cup finely minced sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrated in hot water for 5-8 minutes (if not packed in oil)
4 pinches freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Stir the minced garlic into the prepared pesto.
Unfold the pastry sheets and on a lightly floured board roll them slightly with a rolling pin to make a rectangle that measures 11 by 12 inches. Cut each pastry sheet in half lengthwise.
Spread 1/4 of the pesto (2 tablespoons) over the entire surface of each pastry sheet.
Divide and sprinkle the cheeses and sun-dried tomatoes over the pesto on each pastry sheet and season each with a pinch of pepper.
Tightly roll each sheet, starting at a long side, into a 1-inch-wide log. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut each log into about twenty-four 1/2-inch slices and place then on ungreased baking sheets 1 1/2 inches apart. (The palmiers may be baked right away or refrigerated for up to 2 days. The unbaked palmiers can be frozen, covered, for up to 2 weeks.)
If frozen, defrost the palmiers in the refrigerator before baking. Bake the palmiers in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown. Let them cool for 3 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer them to cooling racks.
FINISHING TOUCHES AND TABLE PRESENTATION
Line different-shaped baskets or long silver bread trays with white cloth napkins. Arrange the palmiers in concentric circles or rows in the baskets or trays.
