Spanish Spinach and Manchego Pastry Bites

Instructions

1. 1

   Wash 200 g spinach thoroughly and pat completely dry with paper towels, then chop finely. Mince 2 garlic cloves. Grate 100 g Manchego cheese. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 200°C.

2. 2

   Place a wide skillet over medium heat and pour in 20 ml olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the chopped spinach, 5 g salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly for 3 to 4 minutes until the greens wilt and water evaporates.

3. 3

   Take the skillet off the heat and transfer the spinach to a bowl. Let cool for 3 minutes so it does not soften the pastry prematurely. Stir in the 100 g grated Manchego cheese until evenly distributed.

4. 4

   Unroll the 250 g ready puff pastry sheet onto a clean surface. Spread the cooled spinach and Manchego mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1 cm border on all sides. Roll the dough tightly into a log starting from the longer edge.

5. 5

   Cut the pastry roll into 12 equal slice bites using a sharp serrated knife. Place the pinwheels flat onto the prepared parchment-lined baking tray, leaving 2 cm space between each. Beat 1 egg in a small bowl with a fork and brush the tops gently.

6. 6

   Bake in the preheated oven at 200°C for 18 to 20 minutes until the puff pastry turns deeply golden brown and puffed up, with the cheese bubbling inside. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm on a platter as a Spanish snack bite.