Food glossary

Baking

Pastry

Pastry is the name given to various kinds of baked goods, made from ingredients such as flour, milk, butter or eggs. A selection of fresh, ready-to-use pastries are sold in Waitrose:

Filo pastry

A paper thin traditional Greek pastry that is sold in rolled layers.

Uses: Filo pastry can be used to make a wide variety of both sweet and savoury dishes, from savoury parcels such as samosas or spring rolls to sweet bakes and tarts such as apple strudel or baklava. Filo pastry can be baked or fried.

To store: Keep in the fridge and eat by the use by date. To freeze, freeze on the day of purchase and allow to defrost thoroughly before using.

To use: Remove the unopened packet from the fridge and allow to stand at room temperature for 2 hours. When handling the pastry keep it well wrapped in the plastic that it comes in or cover with a damp cloth, this prevents it from drying out which will make the pastry brittle and difficult to work with. Any unused filo may be returned to the fridge, but make sure it is well wrapped. At least 2 sheets of filo need to be used per recipe, brush the layers with melted butter before use and then use as required.

Puff pastry

A light, flaky pastry that is made up of many layers and rises when cooked. Fresh puff pastry and fresh ready rolled puff pastry are both available.

Uses: Puff pastry can be used for a variety of sweet and savoury dishes including, vol-au-vents, pie toppings, sweet pastries and tarts.

To store: Keep in the fridge and eat by the use by date. To freeze, freeze on the day of purchase and allow to defrost thoroughly before using.

To use: For best results remove the pastry from the fridge about 20 minutes before using. Roll out the pastry while still cold, to the required thickness, on a lightly floured work surface. After rolling out, allow the pastry to stand for a few minutes before using.

Shortcrust pastry

A versatile pastry that gives a light and crumbly result when cooked. Several varieties are available: shortcrust pastry, organic shortcrust pastry, ready rolled short pastry and sweetened dessert shortcrust pastry.

Uses: With the exception of dessert shortcrust, shortcrust pastry can be used for a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. From pies and tarts to quiches, jam tarts, mince pies and pasties, shortcrust pastry is very versatile.

To store: Keep in the fridge and eat by the use by date. To freeze, freeze on the day of purchase and allow to defrost thoroughly before using.

To use: For best results remove the pastry from the fridge about 20 minutes before using. Roll out the pastry while still cold, to the required thickness, on a lightly floured work surface. After rolling out, allow the pastry to stand for a few minutes before using.