Savoury Anchovy Puff Pastry Bites for Cocktail Hour
Appetizer · David Scott Allen · Provencal Recipes · TasteThese Anchovy Puff Pastry bites are a bit of a “throw-back” appetizer from a book of retro holiday recipes. Since not everyone likes the taste of anchovy, you can change the filling—sundried tomato, basil pesto, or tapenade all work well. Read David’s original post for “perfect puffs” (with step-by-step photos) and seasonal recipe inspiration from “The Merrie Christmas Cookbook.”
Savoury Anchovy Pastry Bites
Making the dough is the hardest part of this recipe, but it's not hard with a food processor. Enjoy these savoury (slightly retro) bites with a glass of cheer during the holidays.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 8 oz cream cheese cold
- 4 oz cold butter
- anchovy paste (or other filling)
Instructions
- Place flour in the bowl of the food processor fitted with the steel blade.
- Cut cream cheese and butter into cubes and place on top of flour.
- Cover and begin processing with 10 pulses. Then, run the processor until the dough comes together in a ball. Because the cream cheese and butter started cold, this dough can be rolled and used immediately.*
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C. Roll the pastry thin – about 1/8-inch thick. Using a 2-inch round cutter, cut it into rounds. Gather scraps, knead them together, and re-roll. You should have at least 60 rounds.
- Place 1/4 teaspoon of your chosen filling in the centre of each round, then fold in half and use the tines of a fork to crimp curved edges.
- Place the half-moons on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
* If you don’t have a food processor, use room-temperature cream cheese and butter and mix by hand. When using this method, the dough must be refrigerated for at least an hour before use.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Cocktail Party Ideas
Drinks:
Pink Elephant Martini Cocktail
This cocktail is festive, fun and easy to mix. Enjoy!
Check out this recipe
Rosé Royale
This drink is festive, slightly stronger than a glsss of wine, and a lovely way to start and evening with friends. The recipe serves 5-6 people depending on the size of glasses.
Check out this recipe
Pure Rosé Cocktail Recipe with rose ice cubes
The most time-consuming part of this drink recipe is making the ice cubes in advance. Find some beautiful miniature roses and freeze them in ice cube trays with water. The cocktail is delicious (of course), but the frozen rose ice cubes make the presentation.
Check out this recipe
Cinnamon Royale with La Folie Rosé Cocktail
This is an easy cocktail, but oh so festive for any special occasion. Make the sugar syrup in advance so you can create this sweet aperitif for Valentines, a wedding toast, Christmas or any good reason.
Check out this recipeNibbles:
Savory Madeleines Salées
This madeleine cake batter combines ingredients that are more typical of Provence into a savoury bite. You can play with the combination to suit your tastes. Other variations might include olive, anchovy and goat cheese.
Check out this recipe
Panisse (Panelle, Sicilian-style) or Chickpea Fritters
Panisse is very popular in Provence, although a similar recipe can be found in other places along the Mediterranean as I discovered in Sicily. Impress your guests with this salty, yet slightly sweet nibble with cocktails.
Check out this recipe
3 Quick Appetizers for Holiday Entertaining
Amuse bouche roughly translates into tempt your taste buds. These three appetizers are easy to make and can be prepared in advance of your guests' arrival. Enjoy Smoked Salmon Rolls with Horseradish and Granny Smith Apple, Crab and Avocado Spoons and Chicken Satays with your favourite cocktail.
Check out this recipe
Tarte Soleil - Puff Pastry Appetizer
From the chef, "Provençals like things sunny and pretty, so this is a popular take on the local, traditional fougasse. It can be filled with any strong-flavoured spreadable mixture such as tapenade or anchoiade or a sundried-tomato paste or even a spinach/ricotta or goat cheese."
Check out this recipe
Terrine de pois chiche au curry maison
This terrine is simple to prepare, should be made in advance to allow the dish to cool completely. Serve as an appetiser or as a lunch dish with a green salad.
Check out this recipeLegal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Previous Post
Marrakech Culinary Exploration with Pitcher and PowellNext Post
Book Review: A Provençal Christmas StoryRelated Provence Articles
The Summer Truffle Festival in Aups is a Culinary Treat – Don’t Miss Out!
June 23, 2025
Located between the Mediterranean coast and the Alps, the village of Aups sits at 505 metres (1,657 ft). Considered the capital of the Haut-Var, this mid-sized town has a population of roughly 2200 residents. However, on a busy summer weekend, Aups attracts many visitors. It is considered the “gateway” to the Verdon Regional Natural Park, …
Make this Provencal Summer Menu Inspired by Seasonal Flavours
June 20, 2025
Cynthia Moos is a Provence native and the founder of Best French Forever, a lifestyle brand dedicated to women inspired by the Provençal art de vivre. Her mission is to invite women to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and curate a life they love. We asked Cynthia if she would curate our 2025 summer menu. …
Where to Eat in Provence? Domaine la Pierre Blanche is a Food Lovers’ Paradise
June 18, 2025
As the sun gracefully dips behind the Alpilles, the landscape is bathed in a gentle golden glow that dances across the grapevines, offering a prelude to an enchanting evening in Provence. This region’s luminous light, which has long captured the imaginations of celebrated artists, serves as a backdrop to the “Rosé Mule,” a tantalizing cocktail …
Good Food and Cozy Dining in St-Rémy at Le Marilyn
June 16, 2025
My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy-de-Provence, and one of our favourite restaurants for cozy dining is Le Marilyn. We always receive a warm welcome, the food is consistently good, and the dining room is one of the most charming around. Owner Chantal Büchner has been in the restaurant business since …
No Comment