SPINACH AND RICOTTA BITES

Ingredients  (Makes 6)
1 puff pastry sheet (approx. 170g)
200g baby spinach
1tbsp olive oil
3-4 spring onions (100g)
2 garlic cloves
100g ricotta (or feta)
Half tsp ground cumin
20g toasted pine nuts (roughly chopped)
20g toasted pistachio (roughly chopped)
Juice of half a lemon
Salt & pepper to season
50g melted butter for brushing pastry

Method
1. Pre heat the oven to 220C/200C fan.

2. Lightly toast the pistachio and pine nuts, then roughly chop and set aside.

3. Heat up a large frying pan and add the olive oil. Chop the spring onions, garlic and cumin and add to the pan. Gently fry until soft.

4. Removing any thick stalks, add the washed spinach leaves and gently sauté for a few minutes and cover.

5. Add half the ricotta to the spinach mix. Break down the spinach by chopping into it with a wooden spoon and squeeze in the lemon juice, continuing to stir for a few minutes. Take off the heat and allow to cool.

6. Unroll the puff pastry sheet and cut in half. Place on a floured parchment, adding a little flour over the top as well. Use a rolling pin to roll as thin as you can, forming an oblong shape.

7. Spread the spinach and ricotta mix onto the pastry, leaving a small space around the edges. Crumble over the remaining ricotta and sprinkle on the chopped nuts.

8. Taking the wider edge, carefully begin to roll the pastry into a long sausage using the parchment as a guide. When fully rolled, dampen along the edge with a little water or melted butter to seal. Carefully place on a plate and pop into the fridge, to allow the pastry to harden a little.

9. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly dust with flour. Place the rolled pastry on top. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12 circles and place each wheel onto the baking sheet, leaving a small space between each one.

10. Brush around the pastry edges with a little melted butter and place in the pre-heated oven for 20 – 25 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown in colour.

Picture: Spinach and Ricotta Bites Recipe from Dualit Picture: Dualit