Pine Nut and Goat Cheese Appetizer
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 24
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Ingredients

- PASTRY:
- 1 cup flour
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup butter flavored shortening
- 3 tablespoons ice water - more if needed
- FILLING:
- 1/2 (8 3/4 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1/2 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed, drained
- 1/2 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans, rinsed, drained
- 1/2 (4 oz) can chopped green chili peppers, drained

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- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
- 1/2 cup craisins
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or salad oil)
- 1 teaspoon shredded orange peel
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, snipped
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated - or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 ounces soft goat cheese or cream cheese 
 
Festive, colorful appetizer that is full of flavor.
 
Directions
PASTRY CUPS:

  • Heat oven to 400°.
  • Place together flour, pine nuts, almonds and salt in a food processor.
  • Process for 30 seconds.
  • Add in shortening, pulsing until pieces are the size of small peas.
  • With the processor running, add 3 tablespoons water (more if needed) and run until mixture
    combines into a dough ball.

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  • Form into a ball with hands, wrap in plastic wrap until ready to use.

    • FILLING:

    • Combine
      black beans, garbanzo, corn, chili peppers, cranberries, craisins and green onion in a mixing
      bowl. Set aside.
    • Combine oil, orange juice, peel, honey, cilantro, ginger and a dash of salt. Whisk or shake
      together in a screw top jar.
    • Pour over bean mixture - toss to coat.
    • Cover and chill while making pastry.

    MAKING PASTRY:

    • Roll pastry ball on a floured surface into a 15 inch circle.
    • Cut dough into 24 circles or ovals using 2 1/2 - 2 3/4 cutter.
    • Fit cutouts into a mini-tart pan or muffin cups (1 3/4 inch muffin cups). Pleat edges as
      needed.
    • Prick with a fork.
    • Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
    • Cool on wire racks for 5 minutes.
    • Remove from pans and continue to cool on wire racks.

    TO SERVE:

    • Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon cheese (goat or cream cheese) into the bottom of each pastry
      shell.
    • Top with approximately 1 teaspoon bean mixture.
    • Serve immediately.
    *Can be made up to 2 days ahead of time. Keep bean mixture
    separate from shells until ready to serve.

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