Italian Picnic Pasties

MAKES: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Total time: 35 minutes

1 garlic clove, thinly sliced

1 tbsp olive oil

Plain flour, for dusting

500 g (1 lb 2 oz) puff pastry

4 heaped tsp pesto

250 g (9 oz) mozzarella, drained, patted dry and diced

2 vine-ripened tomatoes, seeded and diced

1 beaten egg, for glazing

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Little Gem lettuce leaves, to serve

Pre-heat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to make a 38 cm (15 in) square. Trim the edges then cut the pastry into four equal squares.

Spread each pastry square with a spoonful of pesto, leaving a gap around the edges. Divide the mozzarella and tomatoes between the pastry squares; season. Brush the edges with some of the beaten egg. Pull the corners up to meet in the centre and, using your thumb, press along the edges of the pastry to seal the joins and make neat parcels. Transfer the pasties to a non-stick baking sheet and brush with more egg.

Bake the pasties for 15–20 minutes until risen and golden brown. Leave to cool, wrap in foil and serve with Little Gem lettuce leaves.

images