As you probably read earlier in my posts, I have been giving Turkish Cooking Classes since 2013. When deciding on the menu – which is different in almost every class – I try to pick dishes that are nice to present to guests too. These Chicken Drumsticks with Puff Pastry, in particular, is definitely presentable to guests. Between you and me this recipe does not require too much effort to prepare compared to the praise you will get.
How to prepare the chicken drumsticks for baking?
You need to boil the drumsticks until well done before baking with puff pastry.
- Adjust the amount of water to add according to the pot you will use. Add water just enough to cover the bottom if using a pressure cooker and about half the height of the drumsticks if using a normal pot.
- Also, add a quartered onion and season with salt and black pepper. Add a bay leave or two for additional flavor.
- Do not overcook; we want the meat to stay on the bones.
- Check the drumsticks by poking a knife into one of the drumsticks. If the knife goes in easily and the juice flowing out after you pull out the knife is clear, is a sign that the drumsticks are ready for the next step.
- When ready, set aside to drain and cool. Then peel off the skin if the drumsticks are not already skinless.
- Save the stock for preparing a delicious Rice Pilaf With Tomato or a Traditional And Easy Chicken Soup.
How to prepare the cheese filling for the drumsticks in puff pastry?
While the drumsticks are boiling prepare a cream cheese filling. Add cream cheese, tomato paste, crushed garlic cloves, oregano, red pepper flakes and salt into a bowl and mix to obtain a spread. Spread this cheese mixture on to the puff pastry before wrapping the chicken drumsticks. As the cheese will be seasoned and enriched no specific brand is required, the cream cheese you normally buy will be good for this recipe too. Psst; this filling has walnuts in it which is an allergen. Make sure none of your guests have a nut allergy or else leave out the walnuts from the cheese filling.
Puff pastry packaging
Puff pastry comes in different shapes in different countries. Take out of the freezer to reach room temperature so you can shape and cut them easily. Using a rolling pin if necessary, make squares of the puff pastry big enough to pack a drumstick. Then spread some cheese filling on each one side of the puff pastry sheet. Pack up each drumstick with the bone part sticking out. Whisk an egg and spread it on all the packed drumsticks using an egg brush. Then sprinkle with sesame seeds and nigella seeds.
How to bake chicken drumsticks with puff pastry
Place the drumsticks onto a baking dish with the puff pastry joint part facing down. Bake in a preheated oven at 200° Celsius (400° F). As soon as the puff pastry is golden and crispy, take the baking dish/tray out of the oven as the chicken was broiled earlier. Baking will not take long, depending on your oven 15-20 minutes will be enough. Rest for 5 minutes and serve while the puff pastry is still crispy.
A healthy salad such as the rocket salad with pomegranate seeds will be a perfect companion for this pretty dish.
Chicken Drumsticks with Puff Pastry
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 16 small skinless drumsticks
- 8 puff pastry sheets
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 onion
Garnish for baking
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon nigella seeds
Cheese Spread
- 150 grams cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 100 grams walnuts optional / Allergen
- 1 pinch oregano
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 pinch salt to taste
Instructions
- Place the skinless drumsticks into a pot. If skinless drumsticks are not available tear out the skins after boiling.
- Peel and cut an onion into quarters and add.
- Add water to reach half of the height of the chicken if you will cook with a normal pot. Reduce the amount to barely cover the bottom of the pot if you are using a pressure cooker.
- Also add salt, black pepper and bay leaves and cook until the drumsticks are done. Check with a knife, if the knife goes through easily it means they are ready. Do not over cook, the meat should stay on the bones, for a better presentation.
- Set aside to cool.
- Add all the cheese filling ingredients in a bowl and mix with a spoon to blend.
- Take a puff pastry on your worktop and make it square and thin using a rolling pin. The size should be large enough to cover a drumstick easily.
- Spread some cheese filling on one side of each sheet. Place a drumstick in the middle of each pastry and pack.
- Set the drumsticks in an oven tray with the puff pastry joining parts facing down.
- Break and mix a whole egg in a small bowl. Spread some egg mixture on each bundled drumstick, using an egg brush.
- Then sprinkle some sesame and nigella seeds on each one.
- Cook until crispy and golden on all sides for about 10-15 minutes in a preheated oven at 200° Celsius. Serve warm.
Notes
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