Creamy Leek Phyllo Parcels Recipes

CHICKEN & LEEK FILO PIE

Steps:

• Heat a third of the butter in a large saucepan, cook the leeks for 10 mins or until softened, then tip onto a plate and repeat with another third of the butter and the mushrooms. Heat the remaining butter in the same saucepan and, once melted, stir in the flour and cook the sandy paste for 1 min, then stir in the chicken stock a ladleful at a time. Leave on a low heat to simmer for 5 mins, then stir the chicken, leek, mushrooms, cream and mustard into the sauce, add the parsley and season with salt and cracked black pepper. Spoon into a 20cm pie dish and leave to cool.
• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Lay a sheet of filo on a chopping board and brush with olive oil, then place on top of the pie with the corners resting on the sides of the dish, then repeat the process, placing the next sheet slightly off-centre - the idea is to fan the sheets of filo. Brush every layer with oil, and on the last layer sprinkle over salt, thyme leaves and nigella seeds. Press the pastry gently into the edge of the dish. Bake for about 1 hr until the pastry is deep golden, then remove from the oven and serve with buttered cabbage and mashed potato, if you like.

CREAMY LEEK AND CHEESE PHYLLO CIGARS

Steps:

• For the filling: Melt the butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the leeks and saute until wilted and very soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper, and then transfer to a medium bowl.
• Stir in the soft cheese until it melts and the mixture becomes creamy. Stir in the Parmesan and parsley. Season with red pepper flakes if using. Set aside (you can scoop the filling later or pipe it by transferring the filling to a disposable piping bag with 1/2-inch opening cut from the tip).
• For the cigars: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Open the phyllo dough and unfurl it. With one of the shorter sides facing you, cut the dough in half lengthwise (you're aiming for rectangles about 7-by-18-inches long, but exact size may vary based on brand of dough). Cover the dough with a lightly damp clean kitchen towel so it doesn't dry out while you assemble the cigars.
• Make a cigar by placing one sheet of cut phyllo on your work surface with one of the shorter sides facing you. Brush the dough all over (but lightly) with the melted butter and top with another piece of dough. Continue this process until you've layered three pieces of dough. Brush the surface of the final piece with butter, too.
• Scoop (or pipe) about 1 tablespoon of filling in a line on top of the dough on the side closest to you. Fold the outside pieces of dough inward, and then roll up the dough around the filling to make a cigar shape (a lot like rolling a burrito).
• Transfer the cigar to the prepared baking sheet, and then repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Brush any of the remaining melted butter over the assembled cigars and sprinkle smoked paprika over each one.
• Bake the cigars until golden and crisp, 17 to 22 minutes. Cool at least 5 minutes before serving warm.

SALMON & LEEK PARCELS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Put the leeks into a large saucepan with 3 tbsp water and a couple of knobs of butter. Cover, then cook for 10 mins until tender. Remove from the pan, allow to cool, then mix with the crème fraîche and some seasoning.
• To assemble the parcels, brush a sheet of pastry with melted butter, then lay 2 more sheets on top, brushing butter between each layer. Place a salmon fillet in the centre, season, then spoon over half the leek mix. Fold the ends over the top, pull up the sides and scrunch together to enclose. Repeat.
• Brush both the parcels with melted butter. Put onto a lightly greased baking sheet, then cook for 20-25 mins until browned and crisp. Delicious served with a green salad.

CREAMY LEEK PHYLLO PARCELS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180ºC.
• Grease a large baking tray.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan and fry the leek until soft then beat in the cheese until thoroughly mixed. Season with pepper and nutmeg.
• Brush 1 sheet of phyllo pastry with olive oil and fold in half lengthways.
• Place 1/6th of the filling mixture at the bottom of the strip of pastry.
• Fold over in a triangle shape. Continue folding, keeping the triangle shape, until you reach the end of the strip of pastry.
• Make sure the filling is completely enclosed.
• Place on the baking tray and brush with oil. Repeat this for the remaining pastry.
• Cook for 20-25 minutes until crisp and slightly browned. Cool slightly before serving.