Crispy Phyllo Triangles with Spiced Sweet Potato Filling
This delightful dish brings a taste of Tunisia to your table with its fusion of spices and textures. Sweet potatoes are beautifully spiced and enveloped in layers of crispy phyllo pastry for an irresistible crunch. Coupled with a refreshing herb salad and a tangy yoghurt dressing, this creation is perfect as an appetizer or a light meal. The aromatic spices and the citrusy tang from fresh lemons create a harmonious balance of flavors that are sure to impress any palate.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sweet potatoes
2 medium (baked, peeled, and mashed)
Coriander seeds
1.5 teaspoons (crushed)
Dried red chilies
2 (crushed)
Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (plus extra for sprinkling)
Sea salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Spring onions
2 (trimmed and finely chopped)
Free-range egg
1 large (beaten)
Butter
150 grams (melted)
Phyllo pastry sheets
6
Red onion
1 (finely sliced)
Fresh watercress
1 bunch
Fresh mint
1 bunch (leaves picked)
Fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 bunch (leaves picked)
Fat-free natural yoghurt
4 tablespoons
Lemons
3 (1 juiced, 2 cut in half)
Extra virgin olive oil
a lug (for dressing)
Ground cumin
1 pinch
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. Wash the sweet potatoes, keeping their skins on, and bake in the preheated oven until they are soft and cooked through. Allow them to cool, maintaining the oven's temperature. Once cool, peel and mash the sweet potatoes in a large bowl.
2
2. In a mortar and pestle, crush 1 teaspoon of the coriander seeds and the dried red chilies. Mix the ground spices with the mashed sweet potatoes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and season the mixture generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Fold the finely chopped spring onions and the beaten egg into the mashed mixture until well combined.
3
3. Gently melt the butter over low heat. Use the mortar and pestle to crush the remaining coriander seeds. Brush one side of a phyllo sheet with melted butter, then sprinkle it with a pinch of cinnamon and some crushed coriander seeds. Place a second sheet on top, and repeat the buttering and sprinkling process. Lay a third sheet on top, repeating as before. Using a sharp knife, cut the layered phyllo into two 15 cm squares. Repeat this step with the remaining three phyllo sheets, creating another two squares.
4
4. Quickly place a generous tablespoon of the sweet potato mixture in the center of each phyllo square and slightly spread. Brush the edges of each square lightly with water. Fold each square over, from one corner to the opposite corner, forming a triangle. Press firmly along the edges to seal securely. Brush both sides of each triangle with melted butter. Place the triangles on a baking tray and bake in the oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until they are a light golden brown.
5
5. In a bowl, combine the finely sliced red onion, fresh watercress, mint leaves, and flat-leaf parsley. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the natural yoghurt, the juice of one lemon, a lug of extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of ground cumin.
6
6. Toss the herb salad with the yoghurt dressing until evenly coated. Serve the warm phyllo triangles alongside the dressed salad, garnished with lemon halves for squeezing over.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Phyllo Triangles with Spiced Sweet Potato Filling?
They are a Tunisian-inspired dish featuring a spiced sweet potato center wrapped in layers of crunchy phyllo pastry, served with a fresh herb salad.
What is the inspiration behind this recipe?
This dish brings a taste of Tunisian cuisine to your table through its specific use of aromatic spices and textures.
How should I cook the sweet potatoes for the filling?
Wash the sweet potatoes and bake them whole with their skins on in a 200°C/400°F oven until they are soft and cooked through.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated and maintained at 200°C/400°F or gas mark 6.
Should I peel the sweet potatoes before baking?
No, bake them with the skins on to preserve flavor and moisture, then peel and mash them once they have cooled.
What spices are used to flavor the sweet potato mash?
The mash is seasoned with crushed coriander seeds, crushed dried red chilies, ground cinnamon, sea salt, and black pepper.
How are the coriander seeds prepared?
The coriander seeds should be crushed using a mortar and pestle to release their full aroma.
What type of chilies does the recipe call for?
The recipe uses two crushed dried red chilies for a subtle heat.
Are there any fresh aromatics in the sweet potato filling?
Yes, finely chopped spring onions are folded into the mashed sweet potato mixture.
Is there an egg in the recipe?
Yes, one beaten free-range egg is used as a binder for the sweet potato filling.
How do I prepare the phyllo sheets?
Brush a phyllo sheet with melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon and coriander seeds, and layer three sheets together following this process.
How many layers of phyllo are used for each triangle base?
Each base consists of three stacked and seasoned phyllo sheets.
What size should the phyllo squares be?
The layered phyllo sheets should be cut into 15 cm squares using a sharp knife.
How much filling should I put in each square?
Place a generous tablespoon of the sweet potato mixture in the center of each phyllo square.
How do I form the triangles?
Fold each square from one corner to the opposite corner to form a triangle, then press the edges to seal.
How do I ensure the phyllo edges stay closed?
Brush the edges of the squares lightly with water before folding and pressing them firmly to create a secure seal.
Do I need more butter for the outside of the triangles?
Yes, brush both sides of each assembled triangle with melted butter before they go into the oven.
How long do the triangles need to bake?
Bake them for approximately 10 minutes or until they reach a light golden brown color.
What is included in the side salad?
The salad is made from finely sliced red onion, fresh watercress, mint leaves, and flat-leaf parsley.
How do I make the yoghurt dressing?
Whisk together natural yoghurt, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of ground cumin.
What type of yoghurt is recommended?
The recipe specifically calls for fat-free natural yoghurt.
How are the lemons used in the recipe?
One lemon is juiced for the dressing, while two others are halved and served for squeezing over the finished dish.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this dish is categorized as a vegetarian meal.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
Can this be served as a main course?
Yes, it is versatile enough to be served as either an appetizer or a light meal.
What oil is used for the dressing?
A lug of extra virgin olive oil is used to provide richness to the yoghurt dressing.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The dish features a contrast between the soft, spiced sweet potato filling and the very crispy, crunchy phyllo exterior.
What herbs are used in the salad?
The salad uses fresh mint and flat-leaf parsley leaves.
Is there any cumin in this recipe?
Yes, a pinch of ground cumin is added to the yoghurt dressing for extra depth of flavor.
How should the triangles be served?
Serve them warm alongside the dressed herb salad with lemon halves for a fresh, citrusy finish.