Rosemary Honey Goat Cheese Cigars
Category: Appetizers | Serves: 12
These crispy, flavorful cigars filled with goat cheese and infused with the aromatic touch of rosemary honey are an absolute crowd-pleaser. The delicate, buttery layers of phyllo dough perfectly complement the rich goat cheese filling, while the honey and rosemary glaze adds a wonderful hint of sweetness and earthiness. Perfect for an appetizer or a light snack, these bites are bound to become a favorite at your gatherings.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Phyllo dough | 244-60g |
| Goat cheese (Caprino) | 120g |
| Lemon zest | ½ lemon |
| Black pepper (freshly ground) | 1 pinch |
| Extra virgin olive oil | q.b. |
| Butter | q.b. |
| Peanut oil (for frying) | q.b. |
| Multiflower honey (or your choice) | 40g |
| Fresh rosemary | 1 sprig |
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Phyllo Dough
To begin preparing your rosemary honey goat cheese cigars, start by layering 3 sheets of phyllo dough on top of one another. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the dough into 12 rectangles, each measuring about 8×10 cm. These pieces of dough should be long enough to wrap around the metal cylinders you’re using, leaving enough space to roll the dough around them at least three times. If you don’t have metal cylinders, you can use any small cylindrical object with similar dimensions.
Our metal cylinders are about 8 cm long and 1 cm in diameter. Lightly butter the cylinders to prevent the dough from sticking, then wrap each rectangle of phyllo dough around the cylinders, ensuring the dough is tightly rolled and protrudes from one end, making it easy to remove the cylinders later.
To secure the end of the phyllo dough, brush the outer edge with a bit of water. If the dough starts to dry out, feel free to brush it lightly with water before rolling it up. Work quickly to prevent the dough from drying out too much.
Step 2: Cooking the Cigars
Once all the cigars are formed, heat some peanut oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the cigars for about 2 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Be sure not to overcook them—just enough to achieve a beautiful golden hue.
Remove the cigars from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.
Step 3: Preparing the Goat Cheese Filling
While the cigars are cooking, prepare the goat cheese filling. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, place the goat cheese and add the zest of half a lemon. Drizzle in a small amount of extra virgin olive oil and add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper. Stir everything together using a spoon until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
Transfer the goat cheese mixture into a piping bag fitted with a fine, 0.6mm textured nozzle. Set the piping bag aside for later use.
Step 4: Preparing the Rosemary Honey
Next, prepare the rosemary honey. In a small microwave-safe bowl, place the honey and heat it in the microwave for a few seconds, just enough to soften it. While the honey is heating, strip the rosemary leaves from the stem and finely chop them. Add the chopped rosemary to the warmed honey and stir well to combine.
Step 5: Assembling the Cigars
Once the cigars are golden and drained, it’s time to fill them. Carefully pipe the goat cheese filling into each cigar, filling both ends. Arrange the filled cigars on a serving platter.
Before serving, drizzle a little of the rosemary-infused honey over the cigars for an extra burst of flavor. You can also garnish with a few additional rosemary sprigs if you desire.
Serve these savory, sweet cigars warm, and enjoy the delightful combination of crunchy phyllo, creamy goat cheese, and fragrant rosemary honey.
Tips for Success:
- Work quickly with phyllo dough to prevent it from drying out. If needed, cover the dough with a damp cloth while working.
- Don’t overstuff the cigars; a little filling goes a long way.
- For a different flavor, experiment with different types of honey or fresh herbs.
These rosemary honey goat cheese cigars make for a delightful appetizer to serve at parties or special occasions. Enjoy their crispy texture and creamy i
