Description
Every bite of these phyllo cigars is rich with flavor. Recipe by Executive Chef Eric Aber of Homegrown Café, Newark, Delaware.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup red onion, minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 8 ounces chicken breasts, grilled, cooled and diced to 1/2-inch pieces
- 12 sheets Athens® Phyllo Dough (9″ x 14″), thawed
- Cooking spray, as needed
- 1/2 cup smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
- 2 cups baby spinach
Directions
Thaw one roll of phyllo dough, following thawing instructions on package. Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a small bowl, combine the red onion with the honey and red wine vinegar. Set aside for garnish.
Unroll phyllo, remove a stack of 12 sheets and cover with plastic wrap and then a slightly damp towel to prevent drying out. Reroll unused sheets and follow storing instructions on package. Lay one sheet of phyllo on work surface. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Continue layering and spraying 5 more sheets.
Starting 1 inch from long edge, spread half of cheese in a 2-inch line lengthwise down the phyllo. Top the cheese with half of the chicken and then half of the spinach. Roll the phyllo up over the filling, continuing to roll to the end of the phyllo strip to resemble a cigar. Spray with cooking spray and place seam-side down on an ungreased baking sheet. Score the cigar in half. Repeat procedure with remaining phyllo and filling to create 2 – 14 inch cigars.
Bake cigars in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove and let set for 5- 10 minutes.
For presentation: Cut each cigar into two, 7-inch cigars and reheat on the grill or an open Panini press. Using a colander or slotted spoon, drain the liquid from onion mixture. Garnish and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Serving size: 1 “cigar” (170g), Amount per serving: Calories 310, Total Fat – 7g, Saturated fat – 3.5g, Trans Fat – 0g, Cholesterol – 60mg, Sodium – 500 mg, Dietary Fiber – 2g, Total Carbohydrate –38g Total Sugars – 10g, Protein –24g, Vitamin D – 0%, Calcium 10%, Iron 10%, Potassium 2%
Tips
The smoked cheese replaces the need for bacon and the sweet and sour onions act as a healthy condiment. Grilling the chicken and the final cigar add texture, depth of flavor and eye appeal.
To serve as an appetizer, cut each 7-inch cigar into four, bite-size pieces.
Serve onions on the side to replicate ashes or stuff in one end of the cigar.
