Mascarpone And Grape Puff Pastry Bites Recipes

MASCARPONE PICKLE BITES

Steps:

• Spread the mascarpone evenly over the pickle slices. Top with a few threads of pickled red onion and a sprinkle of chives.

SPINACH AND FETA PUFF PASTRY BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Thaw frozen spinach in microwave according to package directions or by running under warm water. Drain spinach, squeezing the excess liquid from it. In a bowl, mix the spinach, feta, garlic, pepper, and nutmeg together.
• Flour a clean, dry countertop or other flat working surface. Lay out the puff pasty on the floured surface. Flour the top of the dough. Roll out the puff pastry until it is half as thick (about 1/8-inch) and about 24 by 12 inches. Trim edges to size if necessary. Cut into 3-inch strips crosswise and lengthwise, making 32 (3-inch) squares. Make sure the squares are well floured then stack them in a little pile.
• Fill a little dish with some room temperature water. Imagine each square you work with is separated in half by a diagonal. Place a couple teaspoons of filling in the top half. Dip a finger into the water and moisten the edges of the top half with water. Fold the bottom half to meet the edges of the top half. Use a fork to seal the edges.
• Place finished pockets on a nonstick baking sheet and bake about 15 minutes until golden brown and puffy. Serve warm.

CHEESY SPINACH PUFF PASTRY BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon, leaving the bacon fat in the pan. Set the bacon aside.
• Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Stir in the garlic. Add the spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the salt and pepper and set aside.
• Stir 1 egg, the cream cheese, Parmesan, feta and chives together in a large bowl. Stir in the spinach mixture and the bacon. Set aside.
• Dust a work surface with flour and roll out the pastry with a rolling pin to smooth out any creases. Cut into 4-inch pieces; you should get about 9 squares. Place the squares on the prepared baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg together with a splash of water. Using a pastry brush, brush two adjacent sides of each square with the egg wash. Place a heaping tablespoon of filling into the center of the square. Fold the dough over the filling, forming a triangle, and crimp the edges together. Place the bites in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the fridge and brush the tops with the remaining egg wash. Bake until golden brown and puffed, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes before eating.

PISTACHIO CRISPS WITH MASCARPONE CHEESE AND GRAPE COMPOTE

Steps:

• For compote:
• Stir grapes and sugar in heavy large skillet to coat. Let stand 5 minutes. Add juice concentrate and spice powder. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until syrup thickens enough to coat spoon, about 30 minutes. Pour compote into sieve set over medium bowl; drain grapes well. Transfer grapes to another medium bowl. Refrigerate grapes and syrup separately until cold, about 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover each; keep refrigerated.)
• For mascarpone cream:
• Place mascarpone in small bowl; sift sugar over. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; stir to blend. Chill at least 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled.)
• For crisps:
• Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Blend powdered sugar and nuts in processor until nuts are finely chopped. Sprinkle 10-inch square area on work surface with 1/3 cup nut sugar; top with pastry sheet. Sprinkle pastry with 1/3 cup nut sugar. Roll out pastry to 12-inch square. Roll up into 12-inch-long log. Cut into sixteen 3/4-inch-wide rounds. Roll out each to 4-inch-diameter round, sprinkling with more nut sugar as needed to prevent sticking. Arrange rounds on prepared sheets. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake pistachio rounds uncovered until brown on bottom and golden on top, reversing sheets after 10 minutes, about 16 minutes total. Transfer crisps to racks and cool. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)
• Spread 2 tablespoons mascarpone cream on each of 8 crisps. Place on plates. Spoon cooked grapes atop cream. Cut 8 crisps in half. Drizzle each dessert with grape syrup, then garnish each with 2 crisp halves, grape cluster, and mint.
• *Italian cream cheese; available in the cheese department of many supermarkets and at Italian markets.