Belbake ‘Lidl Puff Pastry’ Review

This post is to report on a newish product that I’ve seen gracing the cool shelves of our local Lidl recently. It’s the Lidl puff pastry sheets, well Belbake’s Puff Pastry to be precise.

---

First Let’s Talk about Puff Pastry

Puff pastry has to be one of my all-time favourite kitchen superheroes. Seriously, this stuff is the culinary chameleon you never knew you needed in your life. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie in the kitchen, puff pastry will have you covered in the most delicious ways possible.

---

Puff Pastry – It’s Versatile!

First off, can we talk about how it effortlessly straddles the sweet and savory worlds? It’s like the ultimate multitasker. Roll it out, and you’ve got the perfect canvas for sweet treats like apple turnovers, Nutella-filled pastries, or fancy fruit tarts that make you look like a pastry pro. Then, flip the script, and you’ve got savory sensations like cheesy twists, flaky pot pies, and mouthwatering sausage rolls. Puff pastry doesn’t judge – it just delivers the flaky goods.

---

Further Reading: Roasted Cinnamon and Chilli Pumpkin Seeds Recipe

---

Now, let’s get real about how easy it is to use. No need to spend hours kneading dough or worrying about yeast. You can snag premade from the fridge puff pastry sheets at your local store, and boom, you’re halfway to puff pastry perfection. Just roll it out, fill, and bake – it’s practically foolproof. It’s like a culinary cheat code that makes you look like a rockstar chef.

And that flakiness! Oh my word, those layers of buttery, golden goodness are pure heaven. It’s all thanks to a process called lamination, where layers of dough and butter work their magic in the oven. The result? A symphony of crisp, delicate layers that shatter with each bite. It’s a texture that’s downright addictive.

Puff pastry’s versatility doesn’t stop at sweet or savory – it’s also a shape-shifter. You can fold it, twist it, wrap it, or braid it into whatever shape tickles your fancy. Fancy a fancy-looking appetizer? Try vol-au-vents filled with creamy goodness. Want something rustic? A puff pastry galette piled high with roasted veggies is your jam. The possibilities are endless.

---

Chocolate Puff Pastry Twists Photo by Karolina Kołodziejczak

---

Puff Pastry Fillings

Now, let’s talk about fillings. Puff pastry is like a culinary playground. You can stuff it with anything your heart desires. Fresh berries and cream for a dessert that screams “indulgence.” Spinach and feta for a savory snack that’s packed with flavor. It’s like a blank canvas waiting for your culinary masterpiece.

But wait, there’s more! Puff pastry isn’t just for nibbles; it can also take center stage in main courses. Think Beef Wellington, where it wraps around a luscious beef tenderloin like a buttery hug. Or a chicken pot pie with a flaky crown that’s fit for royalty. Puff pastry isn’t just versatile; it’s the star of the show.

---

Further Reading: A Quality Quiche Recipe – Step by Step Photo Instructions

---

In the end, puff pastry is like that trusty friend who’s always there to save the day. Its versatility knows no bounds, and its ability to turn simple ingredients into culinary masterpieces is a gift to food lovers everywhere. So, grab a box from your fridge or freezer, unleash your creativity, and let puff pastry work its magic in your kitchen. You won’t be disappointed, I promise!

---

Belbake ‘Lidl Puff Pastry’ – My Thoughts

On opening the pastry sheet I noticed that they are a little longer than the brand I usually use so I was able to make two dishes from the same puff pastry sheet – a Puff Pastry Pizza and Puff Pastry Apple Squares.

Belbake Lidl puff pastry puffed and was strong enough for my pizza but light enough for my apple dessert. And so I have no hesitation that I’ll be purchasing this Lidl brand again.

---

---

Further Reading: Nigella Lawson’s – Apple and Almond Cake

---

Simple Puff Pastry Pizza Recipe

---

This dish is also delicious with chutney, goats cheese and spinach!

---

Ingredients

• • Belbake Puff Pastry
  • 1/2 teaspoon of Olive Oil
  • Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
  • 2 or 3 Fresh Tomatoes
  • 6 teaspoons of Tomato Purée
  • Garlic Purée or Garlic Powder – it’s easy to use the powdered garlic for dishes like this – just sprinkle my desired amount over the dish
  • 2 teaspoons of Crushed Chillies – The amount used entirely depends on how hot/spicy you like a dish.
  • Pinch of Salt and Pepper
  • Vegetables: consider peppers, mushrooms, thinly sliced red onion, figs, and rocket (arugula) for topping.
  • Cooked Meat: sliced or diced ham – consider the likes of Prosciutto cotto or parma ham.
  • Cheese: sliced, diced or torn – consider fresh mozzarella, cheddar, gouda, or goats cheese – really it’s all about your preference and what flavour and texture of cheese you like melted on your pizza.

---

Puff Pastry Pizza Photo by Mia Stern

---

Method

1. Measure the pastry sheet to the baking pan and trim if you need to.
2. Coat the top of the puff pastry sheet in the olive oil, this will help prevent the tomatoes making it soggy.
3. Spread the tomato purée over the top of the sheet leaving an area of approx 2cm all around uncoated.
4. This uncoated area will be the area that will form a type of crust for the pizza.
5. Drain the tinned tomatoes and spread over the sheet.
6. Add by layers, the fresh tomatoes, chosen vegetables, meat and cheese
7. Season with the garlic, salt, pepper and crushed chillies.
8. Bake in an oven of 180° for approx 45 mins or until done.
9. Remove from baking sheet, slice and serve topped with rocket, and along with freshly made salad, and a garlic mayo dip.

---

Further Reading: Courgetti Spaghetti with Pine Nuts, Spinach and Feta Recipe

---

---

Puff Pastry Apple Squares Recipe

This dish is super simple but if you’d like another great idea – try mixing brown sugar and cinnamon with butter and spreading across your puff pastry sheet – you only need a thin layer, roll and then cut. Bake and you have your own delicious cinnamon swirls /pinwheels … go one step further and add some icing on top!

Or you could simply cut into rectangles, spread some nutty chocolate spread (nutella), lightly twist and bake for some delightful puffed chocolate twists!

---

Further Reading: Easy Irish Shortbread Cookie Recipe Using 5 Ingredients

---

Ingredients

• • Puff Pastry cut into Squares
  • 4 or 5 Apples
  • Cup of Water
  • Knob of Butter
  • 1/2 cup of Demerara Sugar
  • Pinch of Cinnamon
  • Sprinkle of Icing Sugar
  • Vanilla Ice-cream

---

Apple Squares – Puff Pastry Photo by Karolina Kołodziejczak

---

Method

1. Peel and chop the apples and set aside.
2. Melt the knob of butter and the demerara sugar in a saucepan.
3. Add the apples to the mixture.
4. Add the water, just enough to cover the apples.
5. Stir and simmer the apple mixture.
6. Add the cinnamon.
7. Remove the apple mixture when the consistency becomes soft / stewed.
8. Place the puff pastry squares on a baking sheet.
9. Pile the stewed apple onto the centre of the squares and spread leaving a 1.5cm edge all around. Sometimes if I have extra puff pastry I place it on top of the stewed apple. You can also fold the pastry to form a triangle – to do this only put the filling on one side before you fold over.
10. Place in oven of 180° for about 25 mins or until the pastry looks cooked.
11. Remove from tray, place on plate.
12. Sprinkle with icing sugar.
13. Serve or their own, or with ice-cream and enjoy!

---

Follow The Life of Stuff on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram