Patrick Oconnell
Seafood and cheese pastry cups can be served as a standalone dish or as part of a larger meal. As a rich dish, it is often served as a first course for four people. When served as a main course, it can be accompanied by a salad, or a loaf of crusty bread. If you're looking for a heartier meal, you can serve the seafood mixture as a stew with mashed potatoes and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Appetizer, brunch, lunch, light dinner |
| Seafood | Shrimp, scallops, crab, crawfish, lobster, salmon, cod, haddock, baby shrimp, large shrimp or prawns |
| Other Ingredients | Cheese, cream, milk, tomato paste, paprika, parsley, leeks, garlic, tarragon, clams, lemon juice, dill, red pepper flakes, mushrooms, onion, wine, egg, green onion, mayo, Parmesan cheese |
| Baking Instructions | Bake at 355°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown |
| Serving Suggestions | Serve hot, with a salad or crusty bread |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Seafood and cheese pastry cups with a cream sauce
Seafood and cheese are a match made in heaven, and when you add pastry into the mix, you get a delicious and elegant dish. Here is a recipe for petite seafood and cheese pastry cups with a cream sauce that is perfect for entertaining or a light meal.
Ingredients
For the pastry cups:
- Puff pastry sheets
- Egg wash (beaten egg)
For the seafood filling:
- Seafood of your choice (shrimp, scallops, crab, lobster, crawfish, etc.)
- Cheese (cream cheese, Parmesan, or a combination)
- Milk
- Tomato paste
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Parsley
- Butter
- Garlic
- Onion
- Mushrooms
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Take your puff pastry sheet and lay it out on a cutting board.
- Using a pastry cutter or a cookie cutter, cut out rounds about 3 inches in diameter. You can adjust the size depending on how petite you want your pastry cups to be.
- Place the pastry rounds on a non-stick cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly brush the pastry rounds with egg wash. This will give them a shiny, golden-brown colour when baked.
- Bake the pastry rounds for about 20 minutes, or until they are puffed up and golden. Be careful not to overbake them.
- While the pastry cups are baking, prepare your seafood filling. In a pan, melt some butter and add garlic, onion, and mushrooms. Sauté until cooked.
- Add your choice of seafood to the pan. For shrimp, sauté for 2-3 minutes until cooked. If using scallops, cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. You can also add crab, lobster, or crawfish, ensuring that they are cooked before moving on to the next step.
- In a separate saucepan, heat milk until it comes to a slow, faint boil. Add tomato paste and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle in your choice of cheese a little at a time, stirring continuously until melted. Continue to cook for a few minutes, then add paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add the seafood mixture to the cream sauce and stir to combine.
- Once the pastry cups are baked and cooled slightly, cut each shell in half horizontally. You can flatten the inside of the bottom half to create a nice cavity.
- Spoon the seafood and cream sauce mixture into each pastry cup. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for added freshness.
- Serve the petite seafood and cheese pastry cups immediately while they are still warm.
Tips and Variations:
- You can make the seafood mixture ahead of time and assemble the pastry cups just before serving.
- Feel free to use any combination of seafood that is available to you.
- If you prefer a lighter option, you can skip the pastry and serve the seafood and cream sauce mixture as a stew, with a side of crusty bread.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free puff pastry and replace the flour with gluten-free flour in the cream sauce.
Cheese Conversion: Cups to Ounces
You may want to see also
How to make a gluten-free version
To make a gluten-free version of petite seafood and cheese pastry cups, you can use gluten-free flour and xanthan gum to make the pastry dough. Xanthan gum acts as a gluten substitute, giving the pastry elasticity and flexibility, so it's easy to handle and won't tear or crumble. You can use a store-bought gluten-free flour blend or make your own.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups gluten-free flour blend
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum (if your flour blend doesn't already contain it)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions:
- Combine the flour, xanthan gum, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the butter to the flour mixture and work it in with a pastry cutter or your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Arrange the butter slices over two-thirds of the dough, leaving one-third unbuttered.
- Fold the unbuttered third over the middle third, then fold the remaining third over the top to create three layers.
- Rotate the dough 90 degrees and roll it out into a large rectangle.
- Repeat the folding process by folding one-third over the middle and then folding the remaining third over again.
- Roll out the dough into a large rectangle again.
- Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using.
You can fill these gluten-free pastry cups with a variety of seafood and cheese combinations. Some ideas include:
- Shrimp and scallops in a creamy sauce, with a sprinkle of cheese on top
- New England seafood salad
- Clams, shrimp, scallops, leeks, garlic, and tarragon
- Crab and cream cheese
Shredded Cheese Conundrum: Cups vs Grams
You may want to see also
What seafood to use
Seafood and cheese pastry cups are a delicious treat, and you can use a variety of seafood to make them. The choice of seafood depends on your taste preferences and what is available to you.
Shrimp is a popular choice and is used in many seafood and cheese pastry cup recipes. It is versatile and can be combined with other seafood or used on its own. Shrimp is also easy to prepare and cooks quickly, making it a convenient option.
Scallops are another excellent option and pair well with shrimp. They add a delicate flavour and texture to the pastry cups. Like shrimp, scallops are best when not overcooked, so take care not to leave them in the pan for too long.
You could also try crab, which is a tasty and commonly used seafood in pastry cups. Lobster is another option for a luxurious touch. Additionally, salmon is a great choice, especially smoked salmon, which adds a unique flavour to the dish.
Clams are a less conventional option but can be a delicious addition to your pastry cups. You can also experiment with crawfish or a white fish like haddock, cod, or sole.
Measuring Cheese: 1 Cup Simplified
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to prep ahead
To prep ahead for petite seafood and cheese pastry cups, you can prepare the filling and grate the cheese in advance, storing them in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. This will save you time and make the assembly process quicker. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prep ahead:
- Prepare the seafood filling: Depending on your recipe, this could include cooking and mixing seafood with other ingredients. For example, you might sauté scallops, shrimp, and leeks, and then set them aside. You can also add in vegetables, garlic, and spices like salt and pepper. Allow the mixture to cool down before storing it.
- Grate the cheese: If your recipe calls for grated cheese, you can grate a block of cheese and store it separately in the refrigerator. Soften cream cheese by letting it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using it.
- Store the filling: Place the seafood filling in an airtight container and refrigerate it. The filling can be made up to one or two days in advance, depending on the recipe. Keep it covered and refrigerated until you are ready to assemble and bake the pastry cups.
- Prepare the pastry cups: While you can't assemble the pastry cups completely ahead of time, you can prepare the pastry dough and cut it into the desired shape. If using pre-made phyllo cups, you can coat a mini muffin pan with baking spray or butter and set it aside.
- Assemble before baking: When you are ready to serve, stuff the phyllo cups or pastry shells with the filling and cheese. Follow your recipe's instructions for baking time and temperature.
- Baking and serving: Just before serving, bake the filled pastry cups according to your recipe's instructions. Serve them warm or hot to ensure the pastry is at its best texture and enjoy the delicious combination of seafood and cheese in flaky pastry cups!
By prepping the filling and cheese ahead of time, you can streamline the assembly and baking process, making it easier to serve these tasty petite seafood and cheese pastry cups to your guests.
Grated Cheese: How Many Cups Can You Get?
You may want to see also
What to serve the cups with
Seafood and cheese pastry cups can be served as a standalone dish, but they also pair well with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas on what to serve with them:
Salads
A light and refreshing salad can complement the richness of the pastry cups. Consider a classic green salad with a tangy vinaigrette, or something more substantial like a potato salad or a grain-based salad.
Crusty Bread
A crusty loaf of bread can be the perfect accompaniment to your pastry cups. It can be used to soak up any remaining sauce or filling and provides a contrasting texture.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish for a reason. They are comforting, creamy, and can be easily flavoured with herbs or spices to complement the seafood and cheese in your pastry cups.
Steamed or Roasted Vegetables
A simple yet delicious option is to serve your pastry cups with steamed or roasted vegetables. Asparagus, broccoli, carrots, or a mix of Mediterranean roasted vegetables can add colour, flavour, and nutritional value to your meal.
Dips and Spreads
If you want to make your pastry cups the star of the show, consider serving them with a variety of dips and spreads. A smoked salmon dip, a hot crab dip, or even a simple cheese dip can add extra flavour and moisture to the dish.
When deciding on sides, consider the specific seafood and cheese used in your pastry cups, and choose flavours and textures that will complement them. With the right sides, your petite seafood and cheese pastry cups can be elevated to the next level.
Cheese Slices to Cup Conversion: Quick Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
These pastry cups are great for a brunch, lunch, or light dinner. They are also perfect for parties as an appetizer.
You can use a combination of seafood that is available to you. This could include shrimp, scallops, crab, crawfish, lobster, or salmon.
A salad is a good option to serve on the side. You could also serve a loaf of crusty bread or a fisherman's stew made with the same ingredients as the pastry cups.
