Strawberry Basil Bites

Photo Credit
Sam Jones/Quinn Brein
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
Makes 24 pieces.
Category
Course
Credit
Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

When fresh strawberries are available we recommend making this Strawberry Basil Bites appetizer. The sweet berries and herby basil are cooled down with creamy cheese and then “frosted” on top of lighter-than-air puff pastry. This recipe won first prize in The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2019 Garden Guide Recipe Contest. Congratulations to Arlene Erlbach from Morton Grove, Illinois, for her winning recipe!

Ingredients
1 sheet puff pastry dough, thawed
1 cup crumbled goat cheese
4 ounces (1/2 package) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh strawberries
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil, plus more for topping
12 fresh strawberries, halved, for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out puff pastry dough. Cut each section into four even rectangles. Set rectangles approximately 1/4 inch apart on baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, or until golden. Set aside to cool. Pastries will deflate slightly.
In a bowl, combine goat cheese, cream cheese, honey, and pepper. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, blend until ingredients are well combined. Fold in chopped strawberries and basil.
When pastries are cool enough to handle, cut in half horizontally. Spread strawberry mixture evenly onto each pastry. Top with sliced strawberries and chopped basil.

About The Author
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...