Paneer and Vegetable Puff Pastry

A simple appetizer for a nice dinner party. Puff Pastries are made with a lot of different fillings. This happens to be one of my favorite fillings. This can be made mild or spicy as needed.

I also used ready made pastry sheets for this. One day, when I learn how to make these pastry sheets from scratch - I'll blog about it then. Pinkie Promise. Until then, my freezer will carry these famous pastry sheets. 

This same filling can be used to make samosas or spring rolls - works as a great stuffing for anything - maybe even turkey! LOL - please don't try that. I'm not responsible if you do. Really.

You could add/delete any veggies from here. I used -

Onions - 1 medium
Green bell peppers - 1 medium
Carrots - 2
Green peas - about 1/2 cup
Green beans  - about 1 cup chopped
Potato - 1 medium russet washed, peeled and chopped
Ginger - 1 inch piece chopped finely
Garlic - about 2-3 cloves - peeled and chopped
Green Chilli - 2-3 or more if you want it spicy!

and finally

Paneer - cut into small cubes - about 1 whole cup.

In a pan, add 1 tsp of oil. Add chopped GGG (Ginger, Green chilli and Garlic). Saute for a min and then toss in the cut onions. Fry till they turn pink.

Throw in the chopped green bell pepper.  Saute for a min.

Throw in the rest of the veggies and the cut paneer.

Add spices at this point. Add salt to taste. Add a pinch of turmeric. I added 1 tsp of garam masala and 1 tsp of Pav bhaji masala - you be as creative as you can and spice this thing up the way you love it.

Cook for a few minutes until all the veggies and paneer have absorbed the flavors of the masala and the veggies turn a little soft. How do you know they absorbed the masala - just ask them. Don't you talk to your food?

Oh yeah..I forgot to mention. Thaw the pastry sheets - you can keep them out of the freezer when you start chopping your vegetables. And keep them covered with a kitchen cloth so they don't dry up.

When they are thawed and soft and pliable, arrange them on a baking tray. Moisten the edges with water. You could be all fancy and use a silicone pastry brush for that or like me, depend on your forefinger to get the job done. Works better than the fancy silicone pastry brush.

Fill it up good - don't skimp on the filling. Because when the puffs bake, there should be enough stuff inside. Just like your mom taught you - Its not enough if you are beautiful outside, you really should have stuff inside. See what I mean? ( And no, she was not talking about me. It was a general statement)

Seal the edges tight. Move the baking tray to a pre heated oven at 375F. Bake until golden brown.

And its Golden Brown now. I cut each puff into 2 pieces for serving as these do tend to be big. Serve hot with either ketchup, or Hot n sweet, or Green and red chaat chutnies.

Did I tell you they were buttery flaky and delicious? Do you want to come to my party?

 Enjoy! Peace Out!