Thursday, November 7, 2013

Roasted Red Pepper & Manchego Pinwheels | Friday Night Bites



It has been quite chilly in the Bay Area the last week.  Our fire place is running each night and the warm fuzzy blankets are out in full force when hubby and I watch our favorite shows.  I have eased into the fall season, now I would love to experience a stormy evening.  I am sure it is coming soon enough.

In the meantime, we need to take the patio furniture cushions to the garage for storage during the winter, especially since I believe rain may be on its way soon.  It is just too chilly to sit outside – not too mention it is dark at 5:30pm.  I just have to remind myself that as quickly as the fall season arrived, that spring and summer will be here before you know it. How quickly time passes us by.

One of the small joys in life for me is entertaining.  The planning, the preparation and the actual dinner party just make me smile from ear to ear.  Luckily for me, I have a dinner party on the calendar for this Saturday.  My menu is set – yeah.  Everything is else will be done on Friday and Saturday.  If you follow me on Instagram, I’ll be sure to post some pics to share with all of you. 

In the meantime, it is time for Friday Night Bites.  I have a roll of these Roasted Red Pepper and Manchego Pinwheels in the freezer all ready to heat up this Friday.  I previewed a few with hubby on Sunday and he LOVED them.  Projecting to Friday, we will open a nice bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and devour these little delights.  I can’t wait ….. big smile!

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Roasted Red Pepper & Manchego Pinwheels

Makes 36

2 Sheets Puff Pastry, thawed
1 (12 oz) Jar Roasted Red Peppers, drained well and towel dried
2 Garlic Cloves, smashed
¼ teaspoon Salt
¼ Cup Almonds, Dry Roasted
2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese, Grated
2 Cups Manchego Cheese, Grated

Red Pepper Sauce

In a food processor add the almonds, garlic and salt and pulse until fine.  Add the parmesan cheese and pulse.  Next add the roasted red peppers and pulse until well combined.  Mixture should be the consistency of tomato sauce.  If watery, simply run through a fine strainer.

Assembly

On a large board, use one sheet of puff pastry and spread half the red pepper sauce over the puff pastry and sprinkle one cup of the grated manchego cheese.  Roll the puff pastry as tight as possible.  Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for one hour.  Repeat same process with the second sheet of puff pastry.

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees

Use a cookie sheet and cut ½ inch slices for each pinwheel.  Leave an inch in between to cook.  Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.  The manchego is a bit oily so simply lay each cooked pinwheel on a paper towel to remove excess oil.  Serve immediately.


Note:  You can place the plastic wrapped roll in a large freezer bay and keep for a month, so you have appetizers ready at your fingertips when guests arrive.  Let thaw before slicing then bake as normal.


13 comments:

  1. These sound delicious and so easy to make. I can see making these in so many other varieties of flavors. Great recipe. I'll definitely be sure to try these.

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  2. I love frozen puff pastry and the endless things you can do with it. These look wonderful Lisa, wish I was coming to your dinner party!

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  3. Puff pastry is the best and there is so much you can do with it and I love what you did here! I'm wishing I had a few of these right now!!

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  4. Time goes by unbelievably fast! I was gutted to learn that "Jurassic Park" (the movie) just turned 20...I need to find time's Pause button! :D

    These pinwheels look fabulous! Love, love, love manchego cheese.

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  5. These sound like something my husband would love! He is a huge red pepper and manchego fan. I am not sure I am ready for winter - sitting under a blanket with a cup of tea right now!

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  6. Oh I would love to devour these pinwheels, what wonderful flavors!

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  7. I am in charge of our Thanksgiving menu and you can bet these will be making an appearance in the heavily anticipated "appetizer" section of the day :)

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  8. We're eagerly awaiting a good story, too. We need the rain...And these bites would be a delicious way to hide indoors with a glass of wine!

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  9. oh i am thinking these are perfect for our thanksgiving pre-night apps and for the football game this weekend! I love them

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  10. We have the blankets out in the living room now, too. The nights are cold and call for snuggling comfortably on the couch with our favorite shows on tv. I just need these pinwheels to complete the warm experience. :)

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  11. Lisa, I'm so happy when I test a recipe and it turns out extremely well! These were beyond imagination! So much fun for the whole family.
    I'm testing these days recipes for a potluck dinner party at the school of our little boy and these pinwheels will be a good match for the parents.
    Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. So happy they turned out for you! I made them on Thanksgiving and they were a crowd pleaser!

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