Bakespace Challenge Number 1

As you all know I'm new to the blogging world. I was inspired of course my by grandmother but learned about blogging from my friends at bakespace.com. I learned about a cooking challenge from reading Amber's blog (http://amberskitchen.blogspot.com/). She and some friends on another social networking site participate in hell's kitchen type challenges. I thought this would be fun to do on bakespace and so the first challenge was announced a couple of weeks ago. Here are the rules we came up with as a group on the forums.

1. Twice a month someone will post a list of 5 ingredients in a new thread (ex. BS Cooking Challenge #1) the challenges will vary and get more creative as we get more comfortable. Everyone who participates will get a turn to decide on the challenge.

2. You can use the ingredients to make one or two dishes. Whatever you decide.
3. The recipe will be an original recipe, your own creation.

4. We will have two weeks to make a dish and post your recipe and a picture if you can.

5. Most importantly...have fun!!!! This is purely to get our creative juices flowing and to get some great new recijpes!!! Even if your recipe is a flop, please share your experience with the group.

Here are the five ingredients we had to include in our recipe...chicken, puff pastry, spinach, eggs and onions.

I decided to make stuffed puff pastry triangles and they came out really great. I didn't have a lot of time so I bought a cooked rotisserie chicken and shredded the breast. The only thing I would change next time is the flavor of the chicken. I bought a Tuscan Spice chicken and it was too salty. I think the original flavor would have been perfect.



Sauteed onions, mushrooms and garlic in extra virgin olive oil and butter.



Add Spinach until wilted.



Add shredded chicken and stir to combine mixture.



follow directions on box for defrosting puff pastry.
Then roll out dough and divide into 6 pieces.



Add heaping tablespoon of mixture on center of pastry dough.
Add cheese.



fold over in order to form a triangle. Brush sides with egg wash to seal.
Once you have made 6 triangles brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until golden brown.



This is what they look like when they are all done!
I'm very happy with the outcome!



Now who wouldn't want a bite of that???

If you'd like to give these a shot here is the complete recipe which received great reviews from Steve. Sweet Success!!!

Ingredients:
1 chicken breast, shredded (I used store bought rotisserie)
1 package cremini mushrooms, diced
5 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1 large onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Shredded cheese blend (I used mozzarella, asiago, fontina and provolone, romano, parmesan) Salt and pepper, to taste
1 sheet puff pastry
1 egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon water
Approx 1 tablespoon butter
EVOO

Directions:

Sauté onions in a combination of EVOO and half of the butter. When they start to soften add the rest of the butter and the mushrooms, sauté until brown.

Add garlic and let it cook for a few minutes and then add spinach. Turn in mixture until spinach wilts and all the veggies are combined.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Mix in shredded chicken.

Roll out puff pastry on a well floured surface and divide into 6 pieces. Roughly shape them into squares.

Put a heaping tablespoon into the center of the dough, sprinkle with cheese.

Brush edges of dough with egg wash and fold over to form a triangle, crimping edges with fork to seal.

Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with some grated parmesan or romano . Bake at 400˚ for 25 mins or until brown.

Enjoy!!!