Description
Flaky pastry shells cradle a delightful cream cheese spinach puffs filling that blends tangy cream cheese with earthy spinach. Elegant appetizers promise a delectable start to any gathering, inviting guests to savor each crisp, herb-infused bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
- 7 oz (198 g) baby spinach
- ½ cup (50 g) mozzarella cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
- Pinches of salt
- Pinches of black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper for effortless release.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, gently sweating minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, approximately two minutes.
- Spinach Wilting: Introduce fresh spinach to the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir until leaves collapse and release moisture, then transfer to a cooling plate.
- Pastry Preparation: Unfurl puff pastry and slice into six generously sized or twelve petite squares, depending on desired portion size.
- Filling Creation: Combine cooled spinach with cream cheese, mozzarella, and egg in a mixing bowl. Blend thoroughly until ingredients meld seamlessly, creating a cohesive and flavorful mixture.
- Assembly and Sealing: Distribute spinach-cheese filling across pastry squares, elegantly folding opposing corners toward the center to create sealed, triangular parcels that securely contain the vibrant filling.
- Finishing and Baking: Brush pastry parcels with egg yolk for a lustrous finish, then position on prepared baking tray. Bake in preheated oven for 25-35 minutes until puffs rise dramatically and achieve a golden, crisp exterior.
Notes
- Prevent Sticking: Line baking tray with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and clean-up.
- Garlic Technique: Soften garlic gently without browning to maintain a delicate, sweet flavor profile.
- Spinach Wilting: Cook spinach just until wilted to preserve nutrients and prevent soggy texture.
- Pastry Handling: Work with cold puff pastry and avoid overworking to maintain flaky, light texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 to 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg