Description
These Merry Shrimp Puff Pastry Treats are a delightful Christmas appetizer that combines flaky puff pastry with a creamy shrimp filling accented by fresh chives and lemon zest. Perfectly portioned as bite-sized pockets, they make an elegant and festive starter for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Shrimp Filling
- 200g cooked shrimp, chopped
- 50g cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
Finishing
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking the puff pastry treats evenly and with a golden crust.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the pastries from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
- Cut Puff Pastry: Unroll the thawed puff pastry sheet and cut it into 12 equal squares to create uniform-sized pockets for the shrimp filling.
- Mix Filling: In a small bowl, combine the chopped cooked shrimp, softened cream cheese, chopped fresh chives, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a flavorful and creamy shrimp filling.
- Fill Pastry Squares: Place a spoonful of the shrimp mixture onto one half of each puff pastry square, ensuring not to overfill for easy sealing.
- Seal Pockets: Fold the other half of the puff pastry square over the filling to form a pocket. Press the edges with a fork to seal securely and prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sealed pastries on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow for puffing.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the tops of each pastry pocket with the beaten egg. This step helps achieve a shiny, golden-brown finish after baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed up and have a beautiful golden brown color.
- Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve warm to enjoy the pastries at their crispest and the filling at its best temperature.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry is thoroughly thawed for easy handling and better puffing.
- You can substitute fresh chives with parsley or dill if preferred.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the shrimp filling.
- These treats can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving; store filled and sealed pastries in the refrigerator up to 6 hours.
- Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container and reheated in an oven to restore crispness.
