Mediterranean Puff Pastry Slices

An easy and quick starter that can be prepared a bit in advance and cooked in 10-15 mins once guests arrive.

Ingredients:

Jus Roll Puff Pastry sheets
Sun Dried Tomato purée
Olive oil
2 Shallots, sliced thinly
6-8 cherry tomatoes, quatered
2-4 mushrooms, thinly sliced
handful rocket leaves
Crused Black pepper
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Chopped/Grated Halloumi cheese
Basil powder
Garlic powder (optional)
Salt for seasoning

Method:

1. Pre heat oven at 200 deg. Roll out puff pastry and cut into small squares or as per shapes required. (Please note pastry from fridge should be kept at room temperature for atleast 2 hours or as per pack instructions)

2. Brush on sun dried tomato purée on each square.

3. In a bowl, add shallots and lemon and mix well. Add in the tomatoes, rocket, mushrooms, crushed pepper, garlic powder (according to taste), salt and olive oil and mix well.

4. Add the filling on each puff pastry slice. Don't fill too much as pastry will get soggy. Place in oven and cook for 10 minutes or until lightly golden. Then add cheese and cook for another 2-3 mintues for cheese to melt. Sprinkle pepper and basil powder (optional) before serving.


Tips:

You can make different variations with basil and mozzarella cheese or add meats like chorizo and ham.

Mediterranean Chicken Tagine

This recipe combines grilled vegetables in a chicken curry cooked on slow heat to make a wholesome dish.

Ingredients:

6 chicken thighs, skinned
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp coarse pepper powder
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
1 Aubergine, chopped
1 clove of garlic
1 courgette, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 red onion chopped
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tbsp red lentil
Juice of half a lemon
Freshly chopped parsley
Salt & pepper for seasoning

Method:

1. Marinate the chicken with garlic powder, pepper, cumin, turmeric and paprika, season well. Leave aside for 15-30 mins.

2. In a baking tray, mix together chopped carrot, peppers, onion, Aubergine, courgette, tomatoes and whole garlic clove with olive oil and season. Grill this until veg is tender.

3. In a saucepan heat olive oil, add the chicken , lightly fry.

4. Add the cinnamon stick , lentil and grilled vegetables. Add half cup water, cover and let it simmer on low heat.

5. Add lemon juice and taste for seasoning. Cook until the gravy is thick and all ingredients are cooked.

6. Mix the chopped parsley and serve with couscous salad.