CRISPY FILO APPETIZERS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND CHERRIES

Crispy Filo Appetizers with Goat Cheese and Cherries image

Provided by Marilena Leavitt

Time 27m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 7

5 oz. goat cheese, room temperature
1 TBSP. dried cherries, chopped
1 TBSP. cherry preserves, good quality
--- orange zest from one small orange
--- handful of toasted walnuts halves
--- ½ package thin filo, like Fillo Factory (thawed in the refrigerator overnight)
--- butter, melted for the filo

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, mix together the goat cheese, dried cherries, cherry preserves and orange zest. Taste and adjust the preserves-which have an affect on the sweetness of the filling--to your liking.
Open the package of the thawed filo. Place one sheet (14" x 18") on a clean work surface, such as a wooden cutting board, and brush with some melted butter. Top this buttered sheet with a second sheet of filo and brush with butter. Cover the rest of fillo well so the sheets do not dry out. Cut the filo cut it in half and place one half on top of the other, so you are left with a stack of 7" x 9" filo (see photo).
Cut the filo stacks into six squares, as in the photo. Place a spoonful of the goat cheese mixture in the center of each square. Top with a walnut half. Brush some butter around the edges of the squares. Gather the ends of the squares and twist slightly just above the filling to form a little parcel. Continue with the rest. Place the filo parcels in a greased muffin pan. Brush the parcels with some melted butter and bake for about 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Repeat with a second stack of filo and the rest of the goat cheese filling. Once they are ready, place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any extra butter. Serve warm or at room temperature with some bubbly wine.