Description
A buttery, golden puff pastry topped with a rich blend of garlic and cheeses – perfect as an elegant appetizer or side dish to complement any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 sheet puff pastry
Instructions
- Thaw the Puff Pastry: Remove one sheet of puff pastry from freezer and thaw according to package instructions, typically 30-40 minutes at room temperature until pliable but still cool to the touch.
- Prepare the Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Make the Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, dried parsley, salt, pepper, shredded mozzarella, and grated parmesan. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated into a spreadable paste. Set aside.
- Prepare the Pastry: Cut the pastry sheet in half to create two rectangles. Using a sharp knife, score a border approximately 1/2 inch from the edge of each pastry piece, cutting about halfway through the thickness. This creates a frame that will puff up around the filling.
- Initial Baking: Place the scored pastry pieces on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, allowing the pastry to begin puffing and establishing the borders.
- Add the Cheese Topping: Remove the partially baked pastry from the oven. Spread half of the cheese-butter mixture over each piece of puff pastry, keeping within the scored border.
- Final Baking: Return the pastry to the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, until the pastry is golden and the cheese is melted. For an extra golden top, switch the oven to broil setting with the rack positioned about 6 inches from the heat source. Broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cheese pastry to cool for approximately 5 minutes before slicing into thick pieces. This brief cooling period helps the cheese set slightly for cleaner cutting.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the puff pastry is cold but pliable when working with it. If it becomes too warm, it won’t puff properly.
- You can customize this recipe by adding herbs like thyme or rosemary, or incorporating other cheeses like gruyere or fontina.
- For a spicy variation, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture.
- The pastry can be prepared ahead of time up to the scoring step, then refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg