Blue cheese twist crisps

INGREDIENTS 

- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

- 1 egg, beaten

- Freshly ground black pepper

- Optional: chopped fresh chives or parsley for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. **Prepare Puff Pastry:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to a 10x12 inch rectangle.

3. **Add Cheese:** Sprinkle the blue cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over half of the puff pastry rectangle. If desired, add a bit of freshly ground black pepper.

4. **Fold and Press:** Fold the other half of the puff pastry over the cheese-covered half, pressing gently to seal.

5. **Cut and Twist:** Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the pastry into 1/2 inch wide strips. Twist each strip several times and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

6. **Brush with Egg:** Brush the twists with the beaten egg, which will give them a golden color when baked.

7. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the twists are puffed and golden brown.

8. **Garnish:** If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh chives or parsley for added flavor and color.

9. **Serve:** Allow the twists to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.

Enjoy your Blue Cheese Twist Crisps warm or at room temperature!

BAKING HACKS 

1. **Keep Puff Pastry Cold:**

   - Puff pastry is easier to work with and puffs up better if it's cold. If it gets too warm while you're working, pop it back in the refrigerator for a few minutes.

2. **Use Parchment Paper:**

   - Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper ensures that the crisps don’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.

3. **Uniform Strips:**

   - Use a ruler as a guide to cut uniform strips. This ensures even baking and a consistent look.

4. **Chill Twists Before Baking:**

   - After twisting and placing them on the baking sheet, chill the twists in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. This helps them hold their shape better during baking.

5. **Even Cheese Distribution:**

   - Press the cheese lightly into the puff pastry before folding it over. This helps keep the cheese in place and ensures even distribution.

6. **Prevent Over-browning:**

   - If the crisps are browning too quickly, cover them loosely with aluminum foil halfway through baking.

7. **Use a Pastry Brush:**

   - For even egg wash application, use a pastry brush. This will give the twists a nice, even golden color.

8. **Add Extra Flavor:**

   - For a twist, sprinkle a little garlic powder, cayenne pepper, or finely chopped nuts like walnuts over the cheese before folding the pastry.

9. **Cooling Rack:**

   - Transfer the twists to a cooling rack immediately after baking to keep them crisp.

10. **Make Ahead:**

    - Prepare the twists ahead of time and freeze them unbaked. When you’re ready to bake, pop them directly from the freezer into the oven, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

11. **Double Layer of Cheese:**

    - For extra cheesy twists, add a second layer of cheese after the first fold, then fold again and cut into strips.

By incorporating these hacks, you can make sure your Blue Cheese Twist Crisps are consistently delicious and perfectly crispy every time!

NUTRITIONAL BREAKDOWN 

Per Crisp

- **Calories:** 130 kcal

- **Total Fat:** 9 g

  - **Saturated Fat:** 5 g

- **Cholesterol:** 20 mg

- **Sodium:** 190 mg

- **Total Carbohydrates:** 9 g

  - **Dietary Fiber:** 0 g

  - **Sugars:** 0 g

- **Protein:** 4 g

This breakdown provides an estimate per serving (per crisp) for the key nutritional values. Please note that actual values can vary based on the specific brands of ingredients used and the size of the crisps. For a more precise calculation, you can input the exact quantities and brands into a nutritional calculator or app.