Minted Lamb Puff Pastry Bites Food

BAKED BRIE BITES

Steps:

• Lightly flour a work surface and roll out both puff pastry sheets into 12-inch squares. Lay half of 1 sheet over a 12-compartment ice cube tray (the other half of the sheet will hang off the tray) and gently use the back of your fingers (or the handle of a wooden spoon) to press the pastry down into each compartment of the tray. Repeat with the remaining pastry sheet and a second ice cube tray.
• Fill each ice cube compartment with 1 piece of brie, 1 teaspoon pecans, 1 red grape half and a pinch of black pepper.
• Brush the top of the pastry that is hanging off the ice cube tray with egg and fold it over the compartments to cover the fillings. Trim the excess pastry around the edges of the tray, then press the dough together with your fingers to seal. Freeze the ice cube trays for 15 minutes.
• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Use your fingers to gently loosen the puff pastry from the ice cube trays then flip out onto a cutting board. Cut in between each brie bite to separate. Use a fork to crimp the edges of each bite.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment. Put the bites on the baking sheet, brush the egg on the tops and sprinkle with pepper.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheet about halfway through, until the brie bites are puffed and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before serving.

LAMB IN PHYLLO PASTRY

Steps:

• Heat the oil with 1/4 cup of the butter in a skillet. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and fry for a couple of minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook a little longer. Add the parsley, mint, chives, thyme, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and bread crumbs and fry until the crumbs begin to brown. Remove from the pan and set aside. Remove the bone from the chops, place into the skillet, and sear both sides.
• Work with 3 (8 by 8-inch) sheets of phyllo pastry at a time (if they are bigger there is too much overlap), and cover the rest with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out. Melt the remaining 1/4 cup butter. Brush each sheet with melted butter before covering with the next sheet. When you have buttered 3 sheets, place a lamb chop in the middle, add a quarter of the mushroom stuffing, and fold the phyllo pastry over to make a parcel. Repeat with the remaining lamb chops and phyllo pastry. (When you are making the parcel make sure the ones you have done remain covered with a damp cloth.)
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Put the parcels on a baking sheet and cook them in the oven for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and cook for a further 30 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.;

LAMB SAUSAGE IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bake the sausage on a baking sheet for 20 minutes. Turn the sausage and bake it 5 to 10 minutes more, until it's fully cooked. Cool to room temperature.
• Unfold the puff pastry on a lightly floured board. Cut each piece in half lengthwise and brush the top sides with mustard. Divide the sausage into 4 equal pieces. Starting at the long end of the pastry, place 1 piece of the sausage on top of the mustard and roll it up tightly, overlapping the end by 1/2 inch and sealing the pastry by brushing the edge with water. Cut off the excess pastry. Roll the other 3 pieces of sausage in puff pastry. Place the 4 rolls, seam side down, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with the egg wash. Lightly score each roll diagonally to make 7 equal pieces. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until browned. Slice and serve immediately with mustard.

LAMB & ROSEMARY ENVELOPES

Steps:

• Season on the lamb all over and sprinkle with chopped rosemary. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and fry the lamb for about 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Transfer to a plate and leave to cool.
• Unroll the pastry and cut into four rectangles. Roll out each piece large enough to enclose the lamb.
• Place a lamb steak on each piece of pastry, then pop 1 rounded tbsp cranberry sauce on each.
• Brush the pastry edges with a little beaten egg, then fold over to enclose the lamb, pinching the edges to seal. (You can freeze at this point, or prepare and chill up to 4 hours ahead.) Place on a baking sheet and chill for 20 minutes to set the pastry (if there's time). Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C.
• Brush the parcels with beaten egg, stick a rosemary sprig into the top of each and bake for 20-25 minutes until puffed and golden. Serve with your choice of green vegetables.