SAVORY MINCEMEAT PUFF MUFFINS

Classic puff pastry squares are filled with delicious and savory ground beef and roasted eggplant mixture and topped with a beautiful cheesy filling that will delight your tastebuds. These look and taste quite fancy, but are so simple and easy to prepare. A perfect fall or holiday go-to recipe!

• Prep time: 30 minutes
• Cook time: 30-45 minutes
  Yields: 12 Puff Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 T. olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 5 oz. minced beef
• Sea salt, to taste
• 1 medium eggplant, roasted
• 1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions
• 1 c. mozzarella, shredded
• 1 egg yolk

Béchamel Sauce:

• 2 T. flour
• 1 T. butter
• 1 c. milk
• 1/4 t. nutmeg, freshly ground preferred
• Sea salt, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin pan. Set aside.
2. Add olive oil to a small skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
3. Add onion and sauté 3-4 minutes.
4. Add beef and cook until cooked through and browned. Season to taste with salt. Set aside.
5. Wrap eggplant with foil and heat over a medium flame on a gas stove turning every 2-3 minutes with tongs until cooked through, approximately 12 minutes. Alternatively, poke holes with a fork, and roast at 400°F in the oven turning once, for 15-20 minutes depending on size.
6. Let eggplant cool and then peel and chop. Set aside.
7. In a medium saucepan, add flour and butter. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Slowly whisk in milk and mix well.
8. Cook stirring constantly for 5-7 minutes or until the béchamel sauce thickens. Add nutmeg and season to taste with salt.
9. Add chopped eggplant and combine. Set aside.
10. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry dough with a rolling pin. Cut into 5” x 5” squares.
11. Place dough squares into the prepared muffin pan.
12. Evenly divide the beef mixture into 12 cups. Top with béchamel sauce and mozzarella cheese.
13. Beat the egg yolk with a fork and using a pastry brush, lightly brush the pastry dough.
14. Bake at 400°F for approximately 10 minutes or until the mozzarella begins to melt and the puff pastry has turned golden brown.
15. Enjoy!