Savory Puff Pastry Dove

The Savory Puff Pastry Dove is a salty interpretation of a classic Italian Easter sweet. It’s a creative idea for an appetizer or a snack that can impress guests during the holidays.

Ingredients

• 2 rolls of rectangular puff pastry
• 100 g of cooked ham slices
• 100 g of cheese (such as fontina, emmentaler or other cheese of choice) slices
• 1 egg yolk (to brush)
• Sesame or poppy seeds (optional, for decoration)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. Unroll a sheet of puff pastry and place the slices of cooked ham on top, leaving a free edge of about 1 cm along the sides.
3. Add the cheese slices over the ham, then season with a pinch of salt and pepper if necessary.
4. Cover with the second sheet of puff pastry. Gently press along the edges to seal the two layers of pastry.
5. Cut the puff pastry into the shape of a dove. To do this, you can first draw the shape on a piece of paper and then place the template over the puff pastry to cut around.
6. From the remaining pastry, cut out two strips to form the wings and a triangle for the beak. Apply these parts on the figure of the dove.
7. Gently brush the surface of the dove with the beaten egg yolk to add color and shine during baking.
8. If desired, decorate the savory dove with sesame or poppy seeds by gently placing them on the surface.
9. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
10. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Trivia

The sweet Easter colomba, whose shape resembles that of a dove in flight, symbol of peace and resurrection, has become a typically Italian dessert over time, similar in dough to the Christmas panettone. The savory version is a modern reinterpretation and can be customized with your favorite ingredients, such as olives, capers, grilled vegetables, etc.