Description
These delightful mini phyllo cups filled with a savory mixture of fennel, olives, and whipped goat cheese make for a perfect appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 30 pieces pre-baked mini phyllo shells
- 1 1/2 pounds small fennel bulbs, ideally with fronds
- 3 ounces large shallot or small yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 3 ounces finely chopped pitted oil-cured olives
- 1 orange
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 ounces fresh chevre or soft goat cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Crisp up the phyllo cups. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the phyllo cups on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until just crispy, for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow cups to cool completely on the sheet tray.
- Prep the vegetables. Remove the fronds from fennel bulbs and set aside for garnish. Finely mince the fennel bulbs, shallot or onion, and garlic. Aim for very small pieces here, about 1/8-inch squares. If you prefer, you can lightly pulse the vegetables in a food processor, taking care not to turn them into a paste.
- Cook the filling. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil until the surface just begins to shimmer. Add the minced vegetables and kosher salt. Sauté vegetables, stirring occasionally, until translucent and soft, about 10 minutes. Lower heat if they begin to brown.
- Assemble the filling. When vegetables are tender, remove from heat and stir in chopped olives, orange zest, and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste mixture and add more salt if necessary. Set aside to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
- Whip the goat cheese. While the vegetable mixture is cooling, place the softened chevre and honey in a medium bowl. Squeeze in the juice of half the zested orange. Using a hand mixer, whip the goat cheese mixture until thoroughly combined. Taste and add a pinch of kosher salt if needed.
- Assemble the phyllo cups. Scoop 1 tablespoon of room temperature vegetable mixture into each phyllo cup. Gently transfer filled cups to serving platter to garnish.
- Add whipped goat cheese. If you’re feeling fancy, scrape goat cheese mixture into a piping bag fitted with a small star tip. You can also use a plastic bag with an end snipped off. Either pipe or spoon a small dollop of whipped goat cheese onto each filled phyllo cup.
- Garnish and serve. Roughly chop reserved fennel fronds and place on top of goat cheese dollop for a garnish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure the goat cheese is at room temperature for easier whipping.
- You can adjust the seasoning with more salt or red pepper flakes according to your taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 phyllo cup