The Puff Pastry Baskets with Cotechino and Lentils are not only very tasty but also very nice to bring to the table. A different way to present the usual cotechino with lentils, especially if you have guests. The crunchiness of the puff pastry really pairs well with this dish. It’s hard to eat a large quantity because after the New Year’s Eve dinner, including desserts, you’re already really full: I find these single servings fantastic and just right.
I’ve made a small video of the procedure, which you can watch on the pages of Facebook Instagram and Pinterest.
Here are some links to recipes that are ideal for New Year’s Eve dinner:
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 12 baskets
- Cooking methods: Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Winter
Ingredients
- 1 can of pre-cooked lentils
- 14 oz canned tomato pulp
- 1 package rectangular puff pastry
- 1 carrot
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 celery stalk
- 1 pre-cooked cotechino
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pinch salt
Tools
- 12 Muffin Tins
How to Prepare Puff Pastry Baskets with Cotechino and Lentils
To prepare the Puff Pastry Baskets with Cotechino and Lentils, organize your workspace with all the ingredients already measured out.
This way, you’ll have everything at hand, and your work will surely be easier and quicker.
Start by cooking the pre-cooked cotechino, following the instructions on the package, and let it cool.
In a large pot, sauté the carrot, celery, and garlic all cut into small pieces.
When they are just golden, add the lentils previously drained of their water and let them absorb the flavors for just a few seconds.
Add the tomato, a pinch of salt and water, as much as fits in the can.
Cover with a lid and cook on low-medium heat for about 40 minutes.
Now, cut the cotechino into chunks and add it to the lentil sauce.
Let it cook for another 40 minutes, or until the mixture has lost a good part of its liquid.
Meanwhile, prepare the puff pastry baskets: divide the rectangular pastry into 12 squares.
Place each square on the back of the muffin tins, ensuring they’re the metal ones.
Prick them with a fork and bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes.
Once baked, let them cool, arrange them on a serving tray, and fill them with the warm cotechino and lentils.
Serve your Puff Pastry Baskets with Cotechino and Lentils immediately, for the New Year’s Eve dinner.
Tips, Variations, and Storage
You can prepare the cotechino with lentils at least a day in advance, and the puff pastry baskets a few hours before.
If you want, you can also freeze the sauce, should there be any leftovers, or prepare it many days ahead.
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