Description
The Feta and Red Onion Plait is a quick and easy savory pastry recipe featuring flaky puff pastry filled with tangy feta cheese, sweet caramelized red onions, and fragrant Mediterranean herbs. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a stylish appetizer, this dish offers bold flavors with an impressive braided presentation. Suitable for vegetarians and adaptable for vegan and gluten-free diets, it’s a versatile crowd-pleaser that combines simplicity with vibrant taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- Ready-made puff pastry (gluten-free if needed)
Filling
- 150g feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh herbs (oregano or thyme), chopped
- Black pepper, to taste
- Salt, a pinch
Optional
- Egg wash (1 beaten egg) for brushing
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Slice the red onions thinly and sauté them in olive oil over medium heat. Cook slowly, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and golden brown, caramelizing their natural sweetness without burning.
- Assemble the Filling: Allow the caramelized onions to cool slightly, then crumble the feta cheese into the bowl. Gently fold the feta and onions together with fresh herbs, black pepper, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: On a clean, flat surface, roll out the puff pastry and cut it into a rectangle. Use a sharp knife to score diagonal strips along each long side, leaving a central strip open for the filling.
- Fill and Braid the Plait: Spread the feta and red onion mixture evenly along the center of the pastry rectangle. Starting at the top, fold the diagonal strips over the filling alternately from each side to create a braided plait that encloses the filling securely.
- Bake to Perfection: If using, brush the plait surface with egg wash to achieve a golden, glossy finish. Place the plait on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (390°F) for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Notes
- Use cold puff pastry to ensure a flaky texture and prevent sogginess.
- Caramelize onions slowly on low heat to enhance sweetness and avoid burning.
- Avoid overfilling the plait to maintain structure and ease of braiding.
- Allow the plait to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to let the filling set for clean slicing.
- Use fresh herbs whenever possible for brighter flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6 of plait)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: feta, red onion, plait, puff pastry, Mediterranean, savory pastry, vegetarian, gluten-free, appetizer, snack, easy recipe
