Cabrales Phyllo Rolls with Sherry Dipping Sauce

Recipe by Jeff Koehler

El Faro, the exceptional fish restaurant in the city of Cadiz, serves these flaky cheese-and-leek-filled pastries called Frituritas de Pasta Brick Rellenas de Queso y Puerro. They are the world's best finger food.

Pairing Suggestion
The combination of tangy blue cheese and sweet sherry sauce suggests a sherry made from Pedro Ximénez grapes, such as Alvear Oloroso Asuncion NV.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1/2 cup for brushing and frying
1 medium leek, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 pound cream cheese
2 ounces Cabrales or other blue cheese
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup sweet sherry
1/4 cup beef broth
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 teaspoon water
8 sheets of phyllo dough, plus more in case of breakage

Directions

1. In a skillet, heat the 1 tablespoon of olive oil until shimmering. Add the leek and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the cream cheese and Cabrales and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Scrape the filling into a bowl; let cool.

2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the sherry, beef broth and raisins and simmer over moderate heat until the liquid is reduced by half, about 8 minutes. Stir the cornstarch mixture, whisk it into the sauce and cook until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

3. On a work surface, stack the phyllo sheets and cut them crosswise into 4 strips, each 4 inches wide by 12 inches long. Arrange 4 strips on a work surface with the short sides facing you; keep the remaining phyllo covered with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Brush the strips lightly with olive oil. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the cheese filling at one end of each strip and roll them up, making about 3 turns to create small cylinders, then fold in the sides. Brush the folded sides with olive oil and continue to roll up the cylinders. Set the rolls on a plate. Repeat with the remaining phyllo and filling.

4. Place a wire rack on a large baking sheet and cover with paper towels. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 inch of olive oil until shimmering. Add 10 to 12 of the rolls and fry over moderately high heat, turning once, until golden, about 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer the rolls to paper towels to drain while you fry the rest, adding more olive oil as needed. Transfer the phyllo rolls to a platter and serve with the sherry dipping sauce.

Make Ahead
The phyllo rolls can be prepared through Step 3 and refrigerated overnight. Fry directly from the refrigerator. The sauce can be refrigerated overnight.

Shrimp and Salmon Chowder

Chowder so rich you won’t believe it’s made with our fat free Oikos Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream!

Ingredients
1 tbs. salt
8 Maine potatoes, washed and cut into 1 inch cubes
2 tbs. olive oil
2 tbs. unsalted butter
2 medium onions, chopped
4 stalks of celery, cleaned and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
1 cup dry white wine
4 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 lb. salmon filet cut into 2" pieces
1 1/4 lb. raw shrimp (about 24 medium sized), peeled and de-veined
3 cups Plain Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt

Directions

In a large stock pot bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and cubed potatoes. Cook for about 10 minutes so they’re slightly undercooked.

In a 10 quart soup pot, over medium heat add olive oil and unsalted butter. Once small ripples form add onions and celery and cook until onions are transparent. Stir in minced garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Reduce heat to medium-low and add white wine and chicken broth. Add salmon, shrimp, and potatoes. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and gradually fold in yogurt.

Reheat slowly to avoid curdling yogurt and serve.

From our Oikos Organic kitchen.