Sunday, June 5, 2022

Masala Labneh Pastry Swirls


This is an amazing appetizer with creamy labne and spicy onion-tomato-red pepper filling all wrapped in a flaky puff pastry! These cute little pinwheels are a bite of heaven with fantastic flavors. These swirls are great appetizers and also a great snack along with a piping cup of chai.

I received samples to create recipes and all the opinions expressed are my own. I received Labne Original spread and dip from Karoun Dairies as a part of developing recipes and for the contest. The labne makes this appetizer standout with comforting and addictive flavors!


Labne aka labneh is strained yogurt that can be spread like a cream cheese or ricotta cheese. I often buy Karoun Dairies labne from the usual Mediterranean market that I often go to. I use it in making dips and sauces and to make shrikand. Shrikand is our traditional dessert that is made with strained yogurt. Labneh and Greek yogurt are creamy and save time to make shrikand when you want to make a quick one. But labne can be used in baked goods too. When I received these samples, I decided to share these pinwheel appetizer made with #Karoun Dairies labne that is a family favorite .

When spreading, try to use between one-third to a half cup. Do not overfill as this would result in a messy roll. Rolling may not be easy. The right amount of filling plays a major role in getting perfect swirls. The spicy masala made with onion tomatoes and red pepper is perfectly balanced by creamy and tangy labne. When making this, if you couldn't find curry leaves or asafetida, skip these. But do not skip cumin, fennel, turmeric, and garam masala. These add to the yum flavors in this appetizer.


It is a best choice to make for the following reasons:

  • Very delicious
  • Perfect balanced flavors
  • Creamy and tasty filling
  • Buttery flaky puff pastry
  • Easy to make
  • Crowd pleaser



Labne has the perfect tanginess and creaminess that is spreadable but at the same time not very thin. This perfectly balances the spicy filling. The traditional Indian spices with lovely notes of mint and cilantro make this out of the world. Speaking of the filling, I always double the batch as this comes in handy for quick meal fixes. The filling is kind of a fusion between the Indian and Mediterranean flavors. Red peppers and labne are used extensively in Mediterranean cooking and the masala powders add to the Indian flavors. With a puff pastry to hold this filling, this is a perfect fusion appetizer that would be the ultimate appetizer!

I have used Pepperidge Farm puff pastry sheets. It comes in a package of two. Double or triple this recipe and use both the sheets or extra sheets, if you are making for a bigger group. I love to use puff pastry as it is versatile and can be used to make appetizers, main, or dessert. I love to make Puff Pastry Samosa Pinwheels or Onion Puffs with it more often. Did I say that Muhammara, a red pepper dip, is a dip that I love to dip anything in?


Holidays, weekends, having guests for special occasions all call for something. Special brunch! That carries all the love you show. Today is our first day of #brunchweek. Christie is hosting this event and we share delicious recipes to make brunch a tasty and memorable one, right from beverages to desserts! Every component of the meal is important to make the event or day stand out. Be it Mother's Day or Father's Day, look for amazing ideas at the end of the post. Thanks, Christie!



Ingredients
Makes 12

Puff pastry - 1 sheet (Pepperidge Farm)
Karoun Dairies Labne - 1/3 to 1/2 cup
Onion - 2/3 cup, finely chopped
Tomatoes - 1 cup, finely chopped
Red pepper - 1/2 cup, finely chopped
Ginger - 1/2 tbsp, finely minced
Garlic - 1/2 tbsp, finely chopped
Oil - 1 tbsp
Cumin - 1/4 tsp
Fennel - 1/4 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric - 1/8 tsp
Cayenne - 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/4 tsp
Cilantro - 1 tbsp, choppd
Mint - 1 tbsp, chopped
Asafetida - 1/8 tsp
Curry leaf - 1 sprig


Method

Heat oil in a pan and add the cumin, fennel, followed by asafetida and curry leaves, fry for 30 seconds.


Add the onions, ginger, garlic, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onions become translucent.


Add the tomatoes and bell pepper, followed by salt and turmeric. Cook until the tomatoes and bell peppers are cooked, this may take about 4 to 5 minutes. Switch off the flame.


Add garam masala and cayenne, mix and continue to cook for another two minutes.


Add the cilantro and mint, mix and set aside to cool.


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Thaw a puff pastry sheet and gently roll to straighten out a little. Spread the labne evenly leaving one inch and half inch on two opposite sides.



Add the masala filling and spread evenly.


From the side that is left unfilled for half inch, gently roll into a log.


 Cut into 12 pieces.


Place the swirls onto a parchment lined baking tray. Bake for 16-17 minutes or until golden.


Remove from the oven, cool for a few minutes and serve.



Monday #BrunchWeek Recipes

Beverages

Appetizers and Salads

Breads, Grains, and Cereals

Egg Dishes

Main Dishes

Desserts

12 comments:

  1. Tomato, onion and red pepper are a beautiful flavor combo!

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  2. These flavors sound so good together!

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  3. Such fantastic flavors packed into these swirls! They look so good.

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  4. I'm a big pinwheel fan! I can't wiat to try these.

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  5. Oh my gosh, these are just gorgeous, golden brown and packed full of so many delicious things!

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  6. These look fantastic

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  7. I love that you used puff pastry to make these, they look scrumptious!!

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  8. The creamy savory spread sounds delicious. I love something savory for breakfast!

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  9. These look great and I am checking out the Pastry Samosa Pinwheels too!

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  10. Labne is such a versatile ingredient. I bet it added great flavor to these swirls.

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