These little Fennel Mascarpone Brie Puff Pastry Bites Recipe are pinch hitters when it comes to entertaining because they’re as fitting at a holiday cocktail party as they are at an Easter brunch.
I make the fennel filling and assemble them up to 2 days ahead of time and freeze them, then bake them (just a bit longer than listed below if frozen) as guests arrive.Â
Go stock up on all your cooking essentials then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!
Fennel Mascarpone Brie Puff Pastry Bites Recipe
This Fennel Mascarpone Brie Puff Pastry Bites Recipe is an appetizer that works as well for a fancy cocktail party as it does for a spring brunch.
Ingredients
For The Fennel:
- 2 medium fennel bulbs green tops removed and reserved
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 2 medium leeks
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
For The Puff Pastry Bites:
- 8 ounces all-butter puff pastry defrosted
- 4 ounces Fontina or Brie Cheese small dice
- 4 ounces Mascarpone cheese
- Reserved Fennel Fronds or Micro Greens for garnish
Instructions
- Heat The Oven: Heat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
- Prepare The Fennel: Prepare the fennel by quartering it lengthwise, removing the core, and then slicing the fennel quarters crosswise into thin (about 1/8-inch) slices. Set aside until ready to use. TIP: If preparing ahead of time, store the fennel in ice water until ready to use.
- Saute The Fennel: Heat butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When foaming stops, add the fennel (drained and patted dry if it was in ice water) , garlic, and leeks, season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper, thyme, and sugar and stir to coat.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until fennel is golden brown and fork tender. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly. TIP: This can be done up to 3 days in advance.
- Prepare The Puff Pastry: On a clean work surface, lay out the sheet of puff pastry. Using a 1 1/2-inch round cutter, cut the pastry into about 24 rounds, and lay flat on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Assemble Puff Pastry Bites: Place one rounded teaspoon of fennel on each round, top with 1 tablespoon grated cheese, and another small rounded teaspoon of fennel.
- Bake The Puff Pastry Bites: Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the tops of the tartlets are golden brown, and the puff pastry is cooked through. Top each tartlet with a small dollop of Mascarpone and a pinch of fennel fronds or micro greens. Serve immediately.TIP: You can make the puff pastry bites entirely (withough the Massscarpone andr fennel frond garnish) up to two days ahead. Store refrigerated in an airtight container and rewarm in a low oven before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 roundCalories: 112kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 76mgPotassium: 106mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 292IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @saltandwind or tag #swsociety!
