Leek Cheese Sage Pesto Bites

These cheesy leek bits are filled with sage walnut pesto and a touch of brown butter. They go extremely well with a chilled glass of Prosecco which compliments those rich umami flavours. This makes an effortlessly satisfying aperitif.

Makes approx 35 cheesy bites

250g ready rolled puff pastry, taken out of the fridge 10mins before using.

1.5 medium leeks sliced into 0.5cm circles

100g unsalted butter, diced

3 tbsp olive oil

40g Grana Padano for grating on top

Sage Pesto (makes approx 300g)

25g flat leaf parsley

8g sage leaves

60g grated Grana Padano

100ml extra virgin olive oil

50g walnuts

1 tsp honey

A squeeze of lemon juice

1 small garlic clove, grated

2 tbsp cold water

Salt and pepper

Place all the ingredients together for the pesto into a blender + mix until you have a smoothish texture. Taste to check the seasoning adding in more salt, pepper + honey to balance the flavours.

Preheat oven to 190C degrees + grab two large baking trays. Cut two large pieces of non-stick baking paper to the size of the trays.

For the brown butter, set a large saucepan to a medium to high heat + add the butter. Allow it to melt completely + turn a golden colour. This will take about 3-4mins depending on the heat + when it gives off a hazelnut aroma it is ready to remove from the heat.

Slice puff pastry into two sheets. Place one sheet on a chopping board + slice the pastry into 3-4cm squares. Add 1/2 tsp or less of pesto to each square + squish 1 circular leek slice on top of each. Season leeks with salt, pepper + a little bit of olive oil.

Next, add 1/2 the brown butter mix to one of the baking sheets + spread it around to make an even layer. Don’t go too wide, just go as wide as you plan to put the pastry. Roughly 32cm by 32cm. Then grate over 20g of the 40g of Grana Padano so it creates a layer of cheese. Season with a pinch of salt + pepper. Then grab a leek pastry bite + turn it upside down placing it to one side of the cheese. Squish the pastry down into the cheese a little. Now add another leaving a 2cm gap + continue adding the bites in rows. Then use a knife to gently score the top of each pastry a few times. Do the same with the second baking sheet. Place trays into the middle of the oven for 11-12mins or until they are golden on top + puffed up. Remove from oven + leave to cool for 5 mins before using a frying spatular to flip them over. They should be caramelised + crispy at the edges. Eat warm!

Grana Padano Leek Cheese Sage Pesto Bites