Savory Puff Pastry Baskets

Savory puff pastry baskets are a great choice for tasty and quick appetizers. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients

• 1 roll of rectangular puff pastry;
• Spreadable cheese, such as ricotta or goat cheese, according to preference;
• Vegetables of your choice, such as cherry tomatoes, spinach, peppers, mushrooms, etc.;
• Spices and aromatic herbs, such as thyme, oregano, or basil;
• Salt and pepper to taste (q.b.);
• Egg for brushing;
• Sesame or poppy seeds for garnishing (optional).

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Unroll the puff pastry and cut it into squares or circles, depending on the shape of the molds you’ll use.
3. Lightly butter or oil the molds and place the pieces of puff pastry inside each one, shaping well with your hands to create a sort of basket.
4. Prick the bottom of the pastry with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
5. Line each basket with a piece of parchment paper and fill with dry beans or baking weights to “blind bake” and maintain the shape.
6. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the baskets start to turn golden.
7. In the meantime, prepare the filling by mixing the spreadable cheese with finely diced vegetables and season with spices, salt, and pepper.
8. Once the baskets are golden, remove the beans and parchment paper.
9. Fill each basket with the vegetable and cheese mixture.
10. Brush the edges of the baskets with a little beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, if desired.
11. Put back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes, until the filling becomes hot and slightly golden.
12. Remove the baskets from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

Interesting Facts

Savory puff pastry baskets are very versatile and you can customize them according to your taste and the vegetables you have available. In Italy, it is common to fill them with typical ingredients like prosciutto, mozzarella, and tomatoes, or create more elaborate versions for special occasions. They deliciously pair with an aperitivo or as part of a buffet.

Remember that you can play with the flavors by adding some Italian specialties: a touch of pesto, sautéed mushrooms, a bit of grated Parmesan, or for a stronger taste, some cubes of Gorgonzola or salami. Happy cooking!