Salmon and Herb Stuffed Puff Pastry Stars Recipe
Delicious Puff Pastry Stars with Salmon combine flaky golden pastry with a creamy herb-infused salmon filling. This elegant appetizer is perfect for entertaining and offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors that will impress guests at any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
Filling
- 150 g salmon (fresh or smoked, diced)
- 100 g cream cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Finishing
- 1 egg (beaten) for egg wash or 1 tbsp plant-based milk mixed with 1 tsp oil for vegan option
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for baking the pastries.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, diced salmon, and chopped fresh herbs (dill, chives, and parsley). Season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing thoroughly and then set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Roll Puff Pastry: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the puff pastry sheet to approximately 3mm thickness for even baking and delicate flakiness.
- Cut Star Shapes: Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out an even number of stars from the rolled pastry, which will form the top and bottom layers of the pastry stars.
- Assemble Pastries: Place half of the cut pastry stars on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon a small amount of the salmon filling onto the center of each star, careful not to overfill.
- Seal Pastries: Place the remaining star cutouts on top of the filled stars. Gently press the edges together to seal the filling inside and create the star shape.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat an egg and brush it over the tops of the pastry stars to promote a golden, shiny finish once baked. For a vegan alternative, use a mixture of plant-based milk and oil.
- Bake: Bake the assembled pastries in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they have puffed up and turned a beautiful golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow the pastries to cool slightly so they can set before serving warm as an impressive appetizer.
Notes
- You can use either fresh or smoked salmon depending on your preference.
- Make sure to seal the edges well to avoid the filling leaking during baking.
- For a vegan version, substitute cream cheese with a plant-based spread and replace the egg wash with a mixture of plant milk and oil.
- Chill puff pastry briefly if it softens too much while handling to make cutting easier.
- Serve with a fresh green salad or a light dipping sauce for an extra touch.
