Shamrock Pesto Snacks Recipes

PIMENTO CHEESE AND HAM SNACKS

Steps:

• For the pimento cheese: Combine the Cheddar, mayonnaise, cream cheese, Worcestershire, mustard, maple syrup, onion and pimentos in a medium bowl and mix until fully incorporated. Reserve half the mixture in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator to serve with crackers or another use. Put aside the remaining mixture while you prepare the dough.
• For the snacks: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Brush the phyllo with butter. Halve the piece lengthwise, then cut each piece crosswise into thirds. You will have 6 pieces total.
• Place a slice of ham at the short end of a piece of phyllo. Spoon one-sixth of the remaining pimento cheese down the side of the ham closest to the phyllo. Fold in the excess phyllo along the long edges and then roll the the phyllo into a cigar, starting at the end with the ham and pimento cheese. Brush the phyllo with butter as you roll.
• Place the phyllo cigars a few inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and crispy, 15 to 20 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the water, oil and egg. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and using a wooden spoon or a Danish whisk, stir the mixture until a shaggy dough comes together.
• Transfer the dough to a work surface and knead until the dough is a bit smoother. Then "slap" the dough and turn it over and knead it until smooth; this could take between 5 to 10 minutes. You can also mix the dough in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. This takes about 10 minutes. Cover the dough in plastic wrap and allow to rest a room temperature for 2 hours.
• Cover a table (at least 36 inches square) with a clean tablecloth. Sprinkle the cloth all over with flour. Gently press the dough into a rough 12-by-12-inch square and then gently pull the dough into a large square, about 36 inches. Use a pair of clean kitchen scissors to cut the thicker edges off the perimeter and discard them. Allow the dough to rest to dry out just a bit, about 5 minutes.
• Adapted from "Pie it Forward: Pies, Tarts, Tortes, Galettes and Other Pastries Reinvented" by Gesine Bullock-Prado © Abrams 2012. Provided courtesy of Gesine Bullock-Prado. All rights reserved.

PUFF PASTRY SNACKS

Steps:

• Unfold thawed frozen puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into pieces just large enough to wrap around your food (see below) with a 1/2-inch overlap. Wrap, moisten the edge with water and pinch to seal.
• Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, seam-side down. Whisk 1 egg with 2 tablespoons water; brush on the pastry and freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Ideas:
• Bacon: Cook until crisp and drain; stack 3 slices.
• Chocolate bars
• Dill pickles
• Dried figs
• Goat Cheese: Use a thick slice; freeze 2 hours before wrapping.
• Jalapenos: Seed if desired.
• Mango chutney
• Marinated artichoke hearts: Drain and pat dry.
• Pears: Stack 3 slices.
• Portobello mushrooms: Remove the stems; scrape out the gills.
• Prosciutto: Stack 3 slices.
• Pitted Olives

ALMOST-FAMOUS SHAMROCK SHAKE

Steps:

• Combine 3 cups vanilla ice cream, 1/4 cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons vanilla-flavored syrup, 1/4 teaspoon mint extract (not peppermint) and 4 drops green food coloring in a blender. Puree until smooth and creamy, adding 1 to 2 more tablespoons milk if needed. Divide between 2 large glasses. Top with whipped cream and a cherry.