VeganMoFo Day 8: Avocado Cheese Pockets

Here's a tasty appetizer that you can whip up for your next shindig. If you opt to use store-bought puff pastry, this will be a breeze. I made my own pie crust because...well, I really enjoy making pie crust. 

This recipe is inspired by Averie Cooks.  There are some gorgeous photos on that blog. Check it out.

I won't get into specific measurements.  You can play with the size and shape of each piece and the amount of filling you want in each.  All you'll need is:

• Vegan puff pastry (such as Pepperidge Farm) or your favorite homemade pie crust (see recipe below)
• Some non-dairy Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese
• Some of your favorite salsa
• 1 or 2 ripe avocados, diced or cut into strips
• Soy or almond milk, for brushing

1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F.
2. On a lightly-floured surface, roll your dough out into a rectangle.
3. Cut out small rectangles using a knife and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet.
4. Fill one side of each rectangle with a dollop of cream cheese, some avocado, and a spoonful of salsa.
5. Fold each rectangle over, push down the edges, and seal with a fork.
6. Brush each piece with soy or almond milk.
7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.
8. Let cool...then enjoy!

If you want to make your own crust, this recipe makes two 9" pie crusts.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Earth Balance shortening sticks, cold and cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup Earth Balance buttery sticks, cold and cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup ice water

1. Stir the flour and salt together in a bowl.
2. Cut the cubes of shortening and buttery sticks into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter, until small pebble-sized pieces of dough appear.
3. Add the ice water to the mixture 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix just until a dough forms. 
4. Divide the dough into 2 pieces and place each half in plastic wrap.  Press down on each ball of dough to form a disk.
5. Place dough in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before rolling out.

Some notes:

• I'll probably increase the amount of avocado in each piece the next time I make it.  I was scared that I was overfilling, but the salsa cooks down a bit in the oven.
• Maybe I'll also add some black beans.

There you have it:  a fancy looking, delicious appetizer that's easy to make.  Awesomeness.