TOMATO AND BASIL PUFF PASTRIES WITH BALSAMIC GLAZE

Making appetizers has to be my favourite part of cooking for people. There’s something so satisfying about making platters of delicious little snacks that look and taste amazing. These tomato and basil puff pastries are inspired by a Margherita pizza, but with a few tasty tweaks. Pillowy, crispy, golden puff pastry encasing beautiful fresh tomato, basil, and mozzarella… so darn good!

The process…

This is such a quick and easy to make appetizer, it all comes together in under half an hour! I like to use frozen puff pastry because it’s so convenient and much less hassle! Once it’s defrosted, cut into even-sized squares – each sheet makes 4 tomato and basil puff pastries. First spread a thin layer of tomato chutney, this adds some nice extra flavour and sweetness. Then add a big slice of tomato, a few healthy globs of fresh mozzarella, and some torn fresh basil. So many fresh ingredients! The first time I made these I wasn’t generous enough with the mozzarella, remember it will cook down a lot so don’t hold back. Top with salt and pepper and fold in 2 corners to make them into diamond shapes. Press down the edges to prevent them from coming apart and brush over with egg wash to ensure the pastry goes a lovely golden brown. Now they are ready for the oven! Every oven is different, for me it took about 15 minutes at 180 to get them perfect.

While they are in the oven it’s time to get started on the glaze – which is so easy. In a small bowl whisk together balsamic vinaigrette, honey, and olive oil. I like this glaze because it adds a beautiful bitterness to the sweet pastries.

Some more tasty snacks…

• Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Homemade Hummus with Air Fried Tortilla Chips
• Loaded Veggie Nachos

If you give these tomato and basil puff pastries a try, let me know in the comments!

TOMATO AND BASIL PUFF PASTRIES WITH BALSAMIC GLAZE

Course: AppetizersDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Total time

25

minutes

A fun and delicious appetizer, great for family gatherings.

Ingredients

• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry

• 2 large tomatoes sliced

• 2 tbsps tomato chutney

• fresh mozzarella

• handful of fresh basil

• 1 egg beaten

• Balsamic glaze

• 2 tbsps balsamic

• 1 tbsp honey

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions

• Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees.
• Defrost the pastry and cut into 4 even squares per sheet.
• On each square layer a teaspoon of chutney, a tomato slice, a few globs of mozzarella, fresh chopped basil and salt and pepper.
• Fold over corners to make diamond shapes and brush pastry with egg wash.
• Pop in the oven for 10-15 minutes (depending on what oven you have)
• Stir together the balsamic glaze ingredients until shiny and smooth.
• Once pastry is looking golden and delicious, remove from oven and drizzle with balsamic glaze and more fresh basil.