Holiday Apps: Fig & Manchego Bites

Frozen puff pastry is magical.

If you have some in the freezer, you can make a weeknight tart, or these super easy holiday hors d'oevres.

I used to mention the name of the brand of puff pastry I purchased so often here.

One of our lovely readers told me I should be getting royalties for all the times I mentioned their name (or at least a box of pastry), so she sent them a letter, and they sent me a $1.00 coupon off on my next purchase.

I have never mentioned them again.

Buy whatever brand you like (Trader Joe's, Dufour, um, can't think of any other..............).

Also, there are no rules here.
I have made these with brie and apricot jam, so use whatever cheese and flavor jam you like.

Today's bites are fig with Manchego.

I love this brand of sun-dried fig spread from Italy, but can not find it anywhere, so if anyone sees it.........please let me know, I will buy a case, and some for you.

:)

Fig & Manchego Bites: makes 24 bites

2 sheets of puff pastry, defrosted and cut into 3.5" squares
bite size pieces of cheese, Manchego, Brie, Gruyere
a small spoonful of preserves (fig here), for each bite
1 beaten egg for the wash

Preheat oven to 400F.

Drop a little piece of cheese and a small amount of fruit preserve into the center of each puff pastry square.

Using a mini muffin tin (no need to grease the pan), place each square in each muffin cup, and nestle tightly into the hole.
Fold up like you would be sealing a package, in a twisting motion.

Brush each bite w/ some egg wash.

Bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes, until the pastry is golden and crisp.
It's ok if some of the cheese oozes out, just use a knife and poke it back inside while they are cooling.

Let bites rest 1 minute in the muffin tin, then remove to a cooling rack.

Can be made 2 hours ahead.

So easy, and so good!