My "ALL-TIME" Favorite X-mas Appetizer

I've had so many patients ask me about this recipe because I talk about fixing it at Christmas for my family (every year for the last 12 years). This is my favorite appetizer of all time...seriously. I can't take credit for it. It came from Emeril's cooking show on TV. Here it is: (Yes, I'm fixing it again this year. My kids would kill me if I didn't)

Sauteed Rock Shrimp in Creole Cream Sauce in a Puff Pastry Vol-au-Vent

Ingredients

* 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* 1 pound frozen rock shrimp (70 to 90 count)
* 1 tablespoon Emeril's Creole Seasoning, recipe follows
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 2/3 cup chopped green onions
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon Crystal Hot Sauce (to your liking)
* 2 cups heavy cream
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* Salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Thaw the pastry at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before gently unfolding. With a sharp knife, divide the pastry in half. Cut each pastry half into 4 equal triangles. With the tip of a sharp knife, make a 1/4-inch score on all edges of the triangles, being careful not to cut all the way through. Put them on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops lightly with the beaten egg. Bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool while preparing the shrimp. Season rock shrimp with Creole seasoning. In a large skillet over high heat, saute rock shrimp in olive oil for 2 to 3 minutes, until most of the liquid released by the shrimp has evaporated. Add green onions, Worcestershire and hot pepper sauce and cook for 1 minute. Add the cream, bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until reduced by half and sauce covers the back of a spoon, about 4 to 6 minutes. Add butter and whisk thoroughly to combine, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.

With the tip of a knife, carefully remove the top of each pastry. Divide shrimp and sauce between pastries, cover with reserved tops and serve.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (I make this myself, but I've seen it for sale at Kroger's...already pre-made):

* 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
* 2 tablespoons salt
* 2 tablespoons garlic powder
* 1 tablespoon black pepper
* 1 tablespoon onion powder
* 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
* 1 tablespoon dried oregano
* 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Emeril's site says this serves 8, but at our house, 4 of us devour all of this.
Actually, I make a double batch every year and listen to my wife complain that we don't want to eat her dinner. ;-)

Hope you enjoy this as much as I do...
Dr. Ron