Puff pastry baskets with shrimp in cream sauce

Puff pastry cups with shrimp in cream sauce
An elegant and refined appetizer, puff pastry cups with shrimp in cream sauce are ideal for impressing guests at a special meal. These little delicacies are not only delicious but also easy to prepare. Start your culinary adventure and discover how to make them the stars of the evening!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 8 servings

Ingredients:
- 2 packages of puff pastry (preferably rectangular)
- 1 egg white (for brushing)
- 2 medium onions
- 2 bell peppers (red or green, according to preference)
- 35 g butter (or olive oil)
- 6 tablespoons of dry white wine
- 200 ml cream (preferably cooking cream)
- 350 g peeled shrimp
- Salt and pepper, to taste

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Preparing the pastry:
Start by rolling out the puff pastry on a clean surface. If you chose rectangular pastry, cut it into strips 2 cm wide and 12 cm long. If you have round pastry, don’t worry; you can use a glass to cut out circles. These will become the base of the cups.

2. Preheating the oven:
Preheat the oven to 220°C. It is important to have it well heated to achieve the perfect puff pastry texture.

3. Forming the cups:
Weave the strips of pastry into cup shapes, or for a quicker option, cut the pastry circles and slice them in half (without completely separating them). Place them in aluminum molds or heat-resistant bowls, greased with a little butter or oil. Use the egg white to seal the edges if you want to create a more uniform appearance. Bake them for about 15-20 minutes until they turn golden and crispy.

4. Preparing the filling:
In a pot, add water with half a tablespoon of salt and bring to a boil. Add the shrimp and let them boil for 3 minutes, then remove them with a slotted spoon and let them cool. In a frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat and add the sliced onion. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, then add the diced bell peppers.

5. Adding the wine and cream:
Pour the 6 tablespoons of dry white wine over the vegetables and let it boil for a minute to evaporate the alcohol. Then, add the cream and mix well. If you are using shrimp with shells, peel them now and add them to the pan, letting everything boil for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.

6. Filling the cups:
Once the cups have cooled slightly, fill them with the shrimp and cream sauce mixture. If you are using pastry discs, cut them in half and fill each half.

Serving suggestions:
These puff pastry cups with shrimp are delicious served warm, alongside a fresh green salad or with a sweet mustard sauce. You can also add some fresh herbs, such as dill or parsley, for an extra flavor boost.

Possible variations:
If you want to experiment, you can replace the shrimp with cooked chicken breast or even vegetables for a vegetarian option. Additionally, adding spices like paprika or curry can completely transform the taste of these appetizers.

Enjoy these puff pastry cups with shrimp in cream sauce and savor every bite! It’s a quick dessert but full of elegance, perfect for any occasion!