30 December

I know I am super late for this post but then a good savory pastry recipe never gets outdated isn't it? This is just like the usual chicken pastry which is glammed up for a party.  And its the perfect party pleaser for a cozy house party on the new year eve. Pune folks are anyway going to be following the curfew hours from 9 PM due to new restrictions imposed and ring in the new year from the comfort of our home. 

This beautiful puff pastry is filled with the goodness of fresh spinach, chicken, cheese and Italian flavors. It looks super cute and is super fun to assemble. It may look complicated but pulling the pastry to make those starry shape is where all the fun is. You can just put on your imagination hat and stuff it with any filling of your choice and you are good to go. Add a glass of wine and a Netflix playlist of Korean romcoms to the scene and nothing can sound more appealing to me when I think of a cozy night at home.

Preparation Time : 20 minutes

Ingredients :

• Skillet
• Brush
• Paring Knife
• Rolling base and pin
• Baking tray

Procedure: 

1.  Preheat oven to 180 Degree. 

Note: I made this in the convection mode of microwave at 200 degree.

2. If you have frozen pastry sheet then you need to thaw it as per the packet instructions. It can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or in room temperature for minimum 40-50 minutes.

Tip: When you thaw it at room temperature, keep checking the pastry sheets every 15-20 minutes whether its ready or not. Gently press the ball of your finger in the middle of one of the sheets. f your finger leaves an indentation, the pastry is ready to be used. 

Note: To thaw in the microwave, remove 1 pastry sheet from the box and outer wrapping and wrap in a paper towel. Microwave on HIGH for 15 seconds.

3. Slice the mushrooms and onion.  Wash the spinach and drain the water. Chop the spinach into medium size. 

4. In a skillet, heat oil and butter. When hot, add chopped garlic and a pinch of salt . Sauté for a couple of minutes.

5. Add chopped onion and spinach. Sauté them till the spinach starts to sweat, for a about a couple of minutes. Squeeze the water from the spinach and keep aside. 

6. In the same pan add a knob of butter. Sauté the mushrooms till they sweat and caramelize a little. Take it off the flame and keep aside.

7. Slide the butter cube into the same pan. Once hot add the chicken pieces. Add salt and pepper powder. Fry on medium flame, till the chicken is done. Keep aside.

8.  Now in a mixing bowl crack open an egg and whisk it to make egg wash. 

Prepare the Puff pastry base:

1. Transfer the puff pastry to a sheet of parchment paper. Roll out the puff pastry. Use a 10.5 inch dinner plate as a template to cut a large circle out of the puff pastry. 

2. Now take a 4 inch bowl as a template for the inner circle and gently press into the center of the pastry sheet to outline a smaller circle. Make sure to not cut all the way through the pastry sheet.

3. Use a sharp knife to make a perpendicular cut across the small circle. Make two more cuts across the small circle to create four equal triangles. Refer to the image.

Note: If the pastry becomes too soft to work with, just transfer it to the fridge for 5 minutes to firm up the pastry.

Assembling the Wreath

1. Now we start to make the layers of the wreath. We start by adding a few pieces of cheese all around.  

Note: It is recommended to use mozzarella to get the gooey texture, but if you do not have mozzarella use any cheese of your liking. You can also vary the amount of cheese.

2. Spoon in the sautéed spinach next in a ring around the puff pastry leaving an inch boarder around the outer edge.

3. Now add the sautéed chicken, mushrooms and some more cheese pieces on top. Add some Italian seasoning on top and sprinkle some salt. 

3. Now pick up the tip of one of the center triangles and carefully wrap it over the filling and outer edge of pastry to seal. Use a little water and pinch the edges of the pastry as shown below. Continue with each triangle, wrapping over the filling to create a wreath.

4. Now brush the pastry surface with egg wash generously. 

5. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on the surface where egg wash was brushed. 

6.  Now bake in the pre-heated oven at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes until the pastry becomes golden brown.

Serve warm with your choice of drink.

Wish you all a very Happy New Year in advance!