5 Ingredients or Fewer

"Binocular" Bites: Dried Fig/Manchego Cheese and Roasted Tomato/Blue Cheese

by:
December  5, 2011
0
0 Ratings
  • Makes 20 Bites
Author Notes

These little bites are easy to assemble. I used some roasted cherry tomato halves that I froze. An alternative would be to use roasted tomatoes packed in oil, cut to the size of a cherry tomato.
You can play with the kinds of cheeses you use; I found these combinations to be very good.
The fig and Manchego cheese combination is equally delicious. —Bevi

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Ingredients
  • For the Tomato and Blue Cheese Bites
  • 1/2 sheet puff pastry dough
  • 20 roasted cherry tomato halves or roasted tomatoes packed in oil
  • 1 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • For the Dried Fig and Manchego Cheese Bites
  • 1/2 sheet puff pastry dough - if you have access to Dufour, it is far superior to Pepperidge Farms.
  • 10 Dried Black Mission figs, halved lengthwise, with the tops cut off
  • 1 cup grated Manchego cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten with a a touch of water added
Directions
  1. NB: This recipe uses one full puff pastry sheet, and I made 10 each of both types of bites. You can easily double either ingredient list to make one rather than both bites. On a second bake trial, I combined dried figs and blue cheese - Yum!
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out one sheet of puff pastry dough to an approx. 13"x10" sheet. Using a pizza wheel, cut the sheet in half lengthwise. On one half, spread the blue cheese evenly on the dough, pressing the cheese into the dough using clean fingers. Then, cut 10 crosswise strips. Place a tomato half inside each end of the pastry strip, and fold over both ends to form a pair of "binoculars." Press the ends down, and use a fork dipped in the egg wash to make a seal. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. On the other half of the pastry sheet, spread the manchego cheese evenly over the dough. Press the cheese into the dough using your rolling pin. Cut 10 crosswise strips. Place a half fig inside the ends of each strip, folding the ends together, and sealing with a fork. Place bites on the baking sheet.
  4. Lightly brush the egg wash over the "binoculars." Bake in the middle of the oven for approx. 17 minutes, or until the bites are a nice golden color.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

Recipe by: Bevi

Cooking is an important part of my past. I grew up and worked on our family resort. These days, I cook good food to please my friends and family.

19 Reviews

oregon C. July 4, 2014
Question: can these be frozen prior to baking (like the pinwheel appetizer recipes using puff pastry? Expecting lots of visitors this summer & looking for impressive recipes I can make in advance. Looks fabulous!
Bevi December 7, 2014
My goodness! It took me awhile to see this comment. I am wondering about freezing with the cheese inclusions. I probably wold not freeze these, but others with more experience might have differing opinions.
lapadia December 17, 2011
I made these cute little “Bino Bites” with leftover ingredients I had on hand, they are fun to make and delicious. I like that a variety of fillings can be used. Will make again.
Bevi December 17, 2011
I am so glad you liked them and did your own thing. It's a great recipe for using all sorts of easy fillings. All you need is a cheese and a little something else!
lapadia December 9, 2011
I love these Bevi! Yum puff pastry and they are so cute, perfect name. I'm thinking New Year's Eve party with these at the table...if I can wait that long :)
Bevi December 9, 2011
They are really cute! Why bother waiting!? ;-)
SKK December 6, 2011
Bevi, these look wonderful. I will be taking them to a party next week. I bet they would be great with HardLikeArmour's pickled prunes. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Bevi December 6, 2011
Thanks SKK! I just made a batch of prune - filled bites - yummy!
BlueKaleRoad December 6, 2011
I love both fillings for these delectable little bites. Such a cute name, too!
Bevi December 6, 2011
Thanks BKR! I just finished up the prune bites! Also very delicious!
Bevi December 6, 2011
Thanks BKR! I just finished up the prune bites! Also very delicious!
Bevi December 6, 2011
Thanks BKR! I just finished up the prune bites! Also very delicious!
Bevi December 6, 2011
Thanks BKR! I just finished up the prune bites! Also very delicious!
TheWimpyVegetarian December 5, 2011
I love these, Bevi! They look so cute, and so tasty all at the same time. What's your favorite puff pastry to buy?
Bevi December 5, 2011
Thanks CS! I usually buy Pepperidge Farm since it is most readily available.
lorigoldsby December 5, 2011
these are too cute AND so appealing!
Bevi December 5, 2011
Thanks! They are fun to make as well.
boulangere December 5, 2011
Love the title, and your flavor combinations!
Bevi December 5, 2011
Thanks! When they came out of the oven I had the urge to giggle with all these little opera glasses staring at me.