Puff pastries with cherry tomatoes, olives, and cheese

The puff pastries with cherry tomatoes, olives, and cheese are perfect snacks for an aperitif or as an appetizer. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

• 1 roll of rectangular puff pastry
• 150 g of cherry tomatoes
• 100 g of pitted black olives
• 100 g of hard cheese (for an Italian choice, you could use Parmesan or Pecorino)
• A few fresh basil leaves
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Unroll the puff pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and prick it lightly with a fork, leaving a small unpricked border along the edges.
3. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half or quarters, according to preference, and distribute them evenly over the puff pastry.
4. Chop the black olives and sprinkle them over the tomatoes.
5. Grate the cheese and spread it over the olives and tomatoes.
6. Season with a drizzle of oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper if desired.
7. Bake the puff pastries for about 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and puffy.
8. In the meantime, tear some basil leaves to use as the final garnish.
9. Remove the puff pastries from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
10. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

There you have it, your puff pastries with cherry tomatoes, olives, and cheese are ready!

Curiosity

Hard Italian cheese, such as Parmesan or Pecorino, not only adds flavor to the recipe but also a pleasant texture after baking in the oven. In Italy, it is common to use local and seasonal products to maximize the flavors of dishes. Moreover, basil is an emblematic aromatic herb of Italian cuisine, often used to bring a touch of freshness to the dish.