Tomato and Feta Hand Pies
Food has a special way of creating connections, whether you're at a picnic, a party, or just enjoying some quiet time at home. It's a powerful tool for manifesting unity and weaving the element of taste into your life.
There's just something about food that brings people together!
Today, let's explore a delicious recipe for Tomato and Feta Hand Pies, courtesy of our friends over at YVH. This simple recipe features juicy tomatoes, creamy feta, fragrant basil, and flaky pastry, creating a taste experience that's bound to lift your spirits and align you with the vibrant energy of summer.
As you savor these savory pies, take a moment to appreciate the aromas, colors, and textures. Enjoying this dish is a wonderful way to celebrate and tap into the abundance of summer’s offerings.
So, gather your ingredients and let’s start cooking—this is a dish you’ll find yourself returning to time and again!
INGREDIENTS:
Tomatoes: 1-2 heirloom or vine-ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced, or 2-3 plum tomatoes, or half a pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
Feta Cheese: 4 oz. (about 1/2 cup) – if you want to go plant-based like the original recipe, try brands like Violife or Follow Your Heart ; regular or vegan mozzarella can also be substituted
Fresh Basil: 8-10 leaves, cut into thin strips (chiffonade)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For drizzling and brushing
Puff Pastry: 1 sheet – Pepperidge Farm is a commonly found brand that is vegan-friendly
Kosher Salt: sprinkle or to taste
Pepper: a few cracks or to taste
Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For garnish
DIRECTIONS:
Prep:
Defrost the Puff Pastry: Follow the package instructions, usually about 40 minutes before you start.
Prep the Ingredients: Thinly slice the tomatoes, vegan feta, and basil leaves.
Preheat the Oven: Set to 400°F.
Prepare the Pastry:
Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet. If your tomato slices are large, you might want to roll out the pastry slightly with a rolling pin, but this step is optional.
Cut the pastry into 4 equal squares and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Assemble the Pies:
Place a few tomato slices in the center of each pastry square, leaving about a 1/2-inch border.
Season the tomatoes with a bit of salt and pepper.
Add vegan feta and basil on top of the tomatoes.
Fold the edges of the pastry up over the filling to form a small border.
Press the edges with the tines of a fork to seal and keep the fillings contained.
Bake:
Drizzle a little olive oil over the pies and brush or rub it in.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
Cooling and Serving:
Remove from the oven and let cool on a rack for about 5 minutes.
Optionally, finish with a drizzle of your best extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Serve and Enjoy!
see the full recipe here
