Chicken Mozzarella Pesto Filo Parcels Recipes

CHICKEN, MOZZARELLA & PESTO FILO PARCELS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and put a baking tray in to heat.
• Grind together the oil, basil and pine nuts in a pestle and mortar to make a rough pesto. If you don't have a pestle and mortar, chop the basil and nuts very finely and mix with the oil. Season.
• Put the chicken, tomatoes and mozzarella in a bowl and stir in the pesto. Season well.
• Pile up the filo pastry on a board, then cut in half to make two squares (each with four pastry layers). Set one pile aside and with the other pile, twist each sheet around slightly to make a star outline.
• Spoon half the mixture on to one of the piles of pastry. Brush a little melted butter around the base, then gather up the outsides and scrunch them together. Brush half the remaining butter over the top. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make another filo parcel.
• Transfer the parcels to the preheated baking tray and bake in the oven for about 25 mins until golden. Serve with green vegetables or salad.

HOW TO MAKE PESTO SALMON PHYLLO PARCELS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Lay skin-side down on a cutting board or plate and top each fillet with a tablespoon of pesto, or more to taste, ensuring the entire top of the fillet is evenly covered. Set aside while you prepare the phyllo.
• Lay a sheet of phyllo flat on a work surface and brush with olive oil. Lay another sheet on top, brushing with oil. Repeat process for a total of four sheets, leaving the top of the last sheet dry. Place one of the prepared salmon fillets at the bottom of the stack of phyllo sheets with the pesto side facing up. Roll over once, so the skin side is facing up, then fold over the sides. Brush all over with oil. Continue rolling until the end of the phyllo, then place on the parchment-lined baking sheet with the pesto side facing up and brush the top with oil. Score the top 2 to 3 times to allow steam to escape. Repeat with the remaining salmon and phyllo.
• Bake parcels in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the phyllo is golden brown. Remove from oven and let rest a minute or two before serving.