Holiday Appetizers – Bite Sized Spinach, Turkey & Cheese Mini Phyllo Tarts

While I love everything homemade, I am not above using conveniently frozen or packaged items from time to time. I had a pack of frozen mini tarts like for ever. I finally decided to use them for a quick evening snack. This is a quick recipe that is so easy to put together, I almost feel bad posting a ‘recipe’.

I made spinach, deli turkey and cheese filled tarts.  As you might have guessed, these were all items in my fridge that I had to use up. The basic concept is super simple. Melt some butter, saute some garlic, wilt the leaves, add any chopped-up meat or veggies, fill up the tarts, top with cheese and bake. See, it’s that simple!

When the tarts were all assembled, I thought the colors looked perfectly Christmasy. They’ll make the perfect holiday appetizers!

You will need: (Makes 15 mini phyllo tarts)

• Butter – 1 tbsp
• Garlic – 1 large clove, minced
• Flour – 1/2 tbsp
• Milk – 1-2 tablespoons
• Spinach – a handful, washed and chopped
• Turkey, ham or chicken meat – 2-3 tbsp, chopped (use deli meat or leftover roast meat)
• Salt and pepper – to taste
• Mini phyllo tarts – 12-15
• Shredded cheese – for topping

How to:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 deg.F and thaw the phyllo tarts, if so specified on the package.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add garlic and saute for a minute.
• Add the flour and milk and whisk well to make a roux.
• Add the spinach and meat and cook for a few minutes till you end up with a creamy mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the mixture in to each of the phyllo tarts and top with shredded cheese.

• Bake for 5 minutes (longer for larger tarts) or till the cheese melts. Serve warm with a little dollop of ketchup on top.

I think pre-made phyllo tarts are going to be a pantry staple from now on.

Variations:

• Use chopped up mushrooms, peppers, etc in place of the meat for a vegetarian option.
• Phyllo tarts take well to sweet fillings too. I am thinking cream cheese and berries for next time.

Here is another quick and delicious snack/appetizer – Vegetable Stuffed Button Mushrooms.

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