DIY Network

Cha-Cha-Cha Peppy projects with a hint of spice From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-608

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Puff-Pastry Meat Rolls

Let the good times roll with fresh ground beef, delicious spices and fluffy puff pastry.

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Puff-Pastry Meat Rolls

Ingredients:

frozen puff pastry sheet
1/2 lb. ground beef
salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
small onion
fresh basil
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
parchment paper

1. Defrost puff pastry, unfold and place flat on a work surface (figure A).

2. In a bowl, combine ground beef, chopped garlic and chopped onion; lightly brown the mixture on the stove (figure B).

3. Using a slotted spoon, spread the beef mixture on top of the pastry, letting any excess grease drain back into the pan. Keep the top and bottom border of the pastry clear of the mixture. Sprinkle the beef with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil (figure C).

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

4. Roll up the pastry, starting at the clean bottom edge (figure D). Wrap in parchment paper and place in the freezer for 1 hour.

5. Remove for the freezer and slice into 1/2" slices (figure E). Bake on a jellyroll pan at 350 degrees until the meat is cooked through and the pastry has puffed, approximately 30 minutes.

Figure D

Figure E

Mojitos

Get ready for one mint-condition cocktail! Smooth, refreshing mojitos are the prefect drink for hot summer nights.

Mojitos

Ingredients:

3 c. (packed) fresh mint leaves
9 Tbsp. ultra-fine or bakers’ sugar
1-1/2 c. light rum
1/2 c. fresh lime juice
6 c. club soda
6 c. crushed ice
6 lime wedges

1. Reserve 6 mint leaves for garnish. Place remaining mint leaves in a large bowl and add sugar (figure A).

2. Mash mint and sugar with a wooden spoon until the mint has released its oils and is aromatic. Add rum and lime juice and stir until the sugar dissolves (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

3. Strain the mixture into a pitcher ( figure C). This mixture can be prepared 2 hours ahead and refrigerated.

4. Add club soda to the pitcher; stir gently (figure D). Fill each glass with 1 c. crushed ice. Pour mojitos; garnish each glass with a mint leaf and lime wedge. Serves 6.

Figure C

Figure D

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