This is a simple starter or quick snack made of phyllo pastry filled with sweet corn and cheese filling. Each pastry parcel is lightly seasoned with fresh herbs and spices.

Ingredients:

  • Phyllo pastry (shop purchased)
  • 2 cups sweetcorn
  • 3 sprigs chives
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • Butter or margarine
  • 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 3 tablespoons cream cheese
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • 1 dried red chilli, cut in diagonal slices

Method for the filling:

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine in a pan on a medium heat setting.
  2. Allow the margarine or butter to simmer.
  3. Stir in the garlic clove, 1 sprig of finely chopped chive, and dried red chilli.
  4. Simmer the mixture until the garlic has soften and then stir in the sweetcorn.
  5. Mix the well to ensure that the sweetcorn is evenly coated with the chilli, garlic and butter.
  6. Season the sweetcorn with freshly ground pepper and salt.
  7. Simmer for 5- 8 minutes until the sweetcorn is cooked through.
  8. Remove the sweet corn mixture from the stove top.
  9. Stir in the cream cheese and cheddar cheese.
  10. Add in the remainder sprigs of chives and toss the mixture well.

Method for the parcels:

  1. Unroll the pastry (defrosted) carefully. Ensure that the pastry sheets do not tear.
  2. If tearing occurs, apply a little melted butter to the pastry sheet and pinch the ends of the tear together.
  3. Cut each pastry sheet into 20cm squares.
  4. Place one square of phyllo pastry on a flat board and smear butter lightly on the surface.
  5. Place a second square of phyllo pastry over the first in an angle (to resemble a diamond shape).
  6. Add a spoonful of sweetcorn filling in the middle of the pastry square.
  7. Add a little butter on the edges of the pastry.
  8. Gather the ends of the pastry to form a parcel.
  9. Bake the phyllo pastry parcel on 180 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  10. Cooking time may vary depending on the type of oven used.
  11. Remove the pastry parcels from the oven when baked and allow to cool.

Optional : Additional sprigs of  chives can be tied around the gathered area of the pastry.