Another Interesting Creation-Appetizer Idea Alert

Holiday entertaining can get expensive and sometimes I think we get so caught up in finding the perfect recipe for each event that we don't allow ourselves to "create" that perfect food item-whether it be a salad, soup or appetizer! Here is one that I came up with the other night when we had friends over and I decided at the last minute that I probably should have an appetizer.

Name of this one is still in the works-let's go with Phyllo Black Bean Pillows for right now.

This recipe makes enough for 4 people

8 sheets of phyllo dough
1 stick of melted butter
1 cup feta cheese-room temp
1/2 cup black beans rinsed and drained
1/2 cup corn-thawed if frozen
1/4 large onion grated
1 egg
salt and pepper
1 tsp cumin
crushed red pepper to taste

Filling

Combine feta cheese and black beans-mash slightly to combine well. Grate onion into this mixture. Add corn, egg and seasonings. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

Assembly

Lay on sheet of phyllo out on counter-paint lightly with melted butter. Top with another sheet and repeat butter. Take a heaping tablespoon (or 1/8 of the mixture) and place it in the middle bottom of the phyllo about 2 inches from the edge.

Fold the bottom edge up then each side and roll almost like and egg roll. Place on sprayed cookie sheet with seam side up.

Repeat this for 7 more times. Brush any leftover butter on tops and sides of each roll.

Bake in 375 degree oven until golden brown and flaky-about 20-30 minutes.

I asked my guests to critique this "recipe" as I just threw it together-it was well liked by everyone-possibly a drizzle of something on the top or something to dip it in-haven't really come up with anything at this point to dip or drizzle but maybe because I liked them just the way they were.

I have to say-by no means was this a perfect appetizer, but I did take pride in creating it!

Try this the next time you entertain and let me know the results!

Enjoy

More baking this weekend so stay tuned-possibly pictures this time!

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