EOI Puff Pastry – Masterclass No. 2
Lamination Methods
Turning / layering
Once the laminating shortening or margarine has been incorporated into the dough the turning or layering can proceed.
Option 1
The half turn method
The most common method is the half turn. The pastry is rolled into a rectangle. Any surplus flour being brushed off and the pastry folded into three. This is known as a half turn. The pastry is turned through 90° and the rolling and folding operation is repeated. This is the second half turn. It is then covered with a polythene sheet and rested for 20 minutes to recover.
The pastry is given two more half turns with a further rest of 20 minutes followed by a further one half turn. After resting again the pastry which has now had five half turns, is ready for sheeting and cutting into individual units. These units are usually rested for one hour prior to baking to prevent distortion in the oven.
Option 2
The bookfold or full turn method
With the bookfold or full turn method the pastry is rolled into a rectangle (step 1), the two ends are folded to the centre (step 2) and the whole folded again in half (step 3). This represents a full turn (ie 2 full turns is equivalent to 3 half turns). Using only book folds is not recommended for best results.
Turning / layering tips:
Knowing how many turns
Generally:
Full paste: recipes require 6 half turns.
Three quarter paste: recipes require 5 half turns.
However, the number of folds or turns to be given is determined by a number of factors. These are:
The quality of the pastry.
The richer the paste, the more half turns to be given. The leaner the paste, the less half turnsto be given.
The type of goods to be produced.
Where maximum volume is not required as in pie tops and sausage rolls, then fewer half turns need be given (a leaner
pastry is used).
The consistency of the laminating shortening margarine.
Softer pastry shortenings or margarines need fewer half turns. With firmer shortenings or margarines, or in cold weather,
the pastry often requires extra half turns to give the necessary control.
