Feta Date Spinach Pastries Food

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.

SPINACH & FETA PASTRIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375.
• Put the mozzarella and cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave one minute. Stir. Microwave 30 seconds. Stir. At this point, all the cheese should be melted. Microwave 30 more seconds until uniform and gloopy (it should look like cheese fondue at this point). Add the rest of the dough ingredients and the cheese to a food processor. Mix using the dough blade until a uniform color. If you do not have a food processor you can mix in a medium bowl with a wooden spoon but you may need to dump it onto wax paper and knead it by hand to thoroughly incorporate the ingredients.
• Stir together the ingredients for the filling. Set aside the egg yolk to brush on the pastries.
• Roll the dough out between two pieces of parchment paper into a 6 x 18 inch rectangle. Cut in half lengthwise with a pizza cutter. Put the filling down the center of one piece. Top with the other piece of dough. Use the pizza cutter to cut into 7 or 8 pieces. Put them on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
• Gently press the edges together on two opposing sides of each pastry. Use a kitchen shears or small knife to make a few slits in the top dough. Brush with the egg yolk. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.