Description
Delightful spinach and cream cheese puffs deliver a French-inspired appetizer that melts in your mouth with creamy, herbal goodness. Crisp pastry shells cradle a rich filling, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of this elegant starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fresh spinach, washed and chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Pastry and Egg Wash:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a muffin tin with a light grease coating to prevent sticking.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Introduce chopped spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly wilted. Remove from heat and allow to cool briefly.
- Blend softened cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and cooled spinach in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated.
- Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 4×4 inch squares that comfortably fit muffin tin cavities. Press each square gently into the prepared tin, creating pastry cups.
- Distribute spinach-cheese mixture evenly among pastry cups, ensuring generous filling. Delicately brush pastry edges with beaten egg to achieve a golden, glossy finish during baking.
- Transfer muffin tin to preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, monitoring until pastry turns a rich, crisp golden brown and filling becomes heated through.
- Allow puffs to cool slightly before carefully removing from the muffin tin. Serve warm, showcasing the delectable blend of cheese and spinach nestled in crispy pastry.
Notes
- Prep Ahead: You can prepare the spinach mixture and cut pastry squares in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator to save time during actual cooking.
- Moisture Management: Ensure spinach is thoroughly drained after sautéing to prevent soggy pastry bottoms, which can compromise the puff’s crispy texture.
- Cheese Flexibility: Experiment with different cheese combinations like feta or goat cheese for unique flavor profiles while maintaining the creamy consistency.
- Dietary Adaptations: For gluten-free options, substitute puff pastry with gluten-free alternatives or use thin phyllo dough. Vegetarian version already meets dietary requirements.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg