Monday 19 July 2010

Filo Cheese snacks

These snacks are ideal with drinks and can also be used as an appetiser - serve three or more on a plate with some colourful salad such as tomato, avocado and black olive.  They can also be made in individual ramekin dishes for a more substantial starter or light lunch.
vegetable oil, to coat muffin tins

1 cup  ricotta or cream cheese cheese
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese or cheddar if mozzarella is not available
1 egg
2 tablespoons mixed herbs or herb of your choice
1/4 cup finely minced parsley
1/2 teaspoon pressed garlic
8 sheets filo dough
4 tablespoons butter (plus 1 teaspoon), melted
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil 2 muffin tins. In blender or food processor, puree cheeses. Add egg and blend mixture well.


Stir in  dill, parsley, and garlic into cheeses. Spoon mixture into a bowl and cover with cling wrap. Refrigerate while proceeding with next steps.

Stack sheets of filo dough on a clean, dry surface. Brush each sheet with 1 teaspoon melted butter, and lay buttered sheets one on top of another. Cut piled sheets into 24 squares of 2-1/2 inches each.
Press squares into muffin tin cups, and spoon 1 tablespoon cheese filling into each. Fold edges of filo over filling and lightly brush top of each filo pastry with remaining butter.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, watching carefully so that pastries do not burn. Remove from tins, and let them cool slightly before serving.