Meat and cheese pastries

Meat and Cheese Rosettes: a delicious and elegant dish, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a family dinner. This recipe combines the crispy texture of the pastry with the juicy filling of meat and cheese, providing an explosion of flavors in every bite.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
- 1 package of puff pastry (about 500 g)
- 300 g minced meat (pork, beef, or chicken, as preferred)
- 1 large onion
- 150 g cheese (telemea cheese or feta cheese for a stronger taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg (for brushing the pastry)
- Optional: herbs (dill or parsley)

Step 1: Preparing the filling
Start by peeling and finely chopping the onion. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Then, add the minced meat and cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until the meat is well cooked. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once the meat is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and let the filling cool slightly.

Step 2: Preparing the cheese
While the filling cools, crumble the cheese in a bowl. If using telemea cheese, make sure to mix it well to achieve a creamy texture. If desired, you can also add chopped dill or parsley to enhance the flavors.

Step 3: Assembling the rosettes
Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface. Cut the pastry into squares of about 10 cm. On each square, add a tablespoon of the meat and onion mixture, followed by a tablespoon of crumbled cheese. Make sure not to overfill to avoid spilling during baking. Fold the corners of the square towards the center, forming a rosette. Press gently to seal.

Step 4: Baking
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the rosettes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush each rosette with the beaten egg for a golden and crispy crust. Bake the rosettes for 20 minutes or until they are golden and fluffy.

Practical tips:
1. If you want to save time, you can use store-bought minced meat. Choose quality meat for better taste.
2. Experiment with different fillings, such as sautéed mushrooms or grilled vegetables, for a vegetarian option.
3. The rosettes can be served warm or at room temperature, making them ideal for appetizers at parties or a casual dinner.
4. You can accompany the rosettes with a yogurt or tzatziki sauce for added freshness.

Enjoy these meat and cheese rosettes with your loved ones, relishing the perfect combination of textures and flavors. This simple and quick recipe will surely become a family favorite!

 Ingredients: 1 medium onion, 150 g cheese, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 bunch of parsley, 1 egg, 500 g minced and seasoned pork, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, pepper, 150 g cottage cheese, 7 tablespoons milk, 6 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 300 g flour, 1 packet baking powder, margarine for the tray.