Spinach and Cream Cheese Christmas Tree Skewers

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C and line two baking trays with baking paper.

2. Heat the oil in a pan and sauté the spring onions until soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, then stir in the spinach and cook until any excess liquid has evaporated. Mix in the flour and mayonnaise, then set aside to cool. Once cooled, fold in the LANCEWOOD® Creamed Smooth Cottage Cheese, grated Mozzarella, and artichokes (if using). Season with salt and black pepper.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one sheet of puff pastry to ½ cm thickness and spread the spinach mixture evenly over the pastry. Roll out the second sheet and place it on top, pressing gently to sandwich the filling. Refrigerate until firm.

4. With the long edge facing you, cut the pastry into 1 cm strips using scissors or a pizza wheel. Shape each strip into a zig-zag pattern to resemble a Christmas tree and place onto the prepared trays. Insert a skewer into each tree, leaving 1 cm exposed at the top for the star. Chill for 30 minutes before baking.

5. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and puffed. While the trees are baking, layer the cheddar slices and cut out small stars with a cookie cutter. Once the pastries have cooled slightly, attach a star to the top of each skewer.

6. To finish, sprinkle with chilli flakes if desired, then arrange the skewers on a platter with cherry tomatoes and rosemary sprigs for a festive presentation.

Tip: Soak the skewers in water for an hour or two before baking to prevent them from browning too quickly.