I’m at that point in moving where I reeeeeeally need to clean out my fridge because the more I use up, the less I have to move. Needless to say we’ve had some pretty “creative” dinners this week.  I also keep forgetting that I packed up 70% of the kitchen. I totally wanted to make something with whipped cream yesterday but when I went to pull the beaters out of my kitchen cabinet, it was empty. Sad trombone. The good news is that I still can produce tasty recipes out of this bare essentials kitchen of mine. I just can’t make anything that has spices in it since my spice cabinet is in a box somewhere…

I found some puff pastry hiding out in the freezer so I pretended like I was entertaining 10 people at my unkempt house and made these Blackberry Lemon Goat Cheese Squares. These puff pastry bites taste a little bit like blackberry pie mixed with a lemony cheese danish BUT! There’s an arugula leaf nestled under each blackberry. Not only does it add a nice green/peppery bite it provides a nice visual interest to the plate of squares. It’s practically salad (not really).

I am not at liberty to say how many I ate yesterday.

And we’re off!

We need to make the lemony goat cheese!

Lemon zest, goat cheese, honey & milk. Stir well to combine!

In a small bowl, mix blackberries with balsamic vinegar. Let it sit for a bit.

Thaw your puff pastry x 2. I used Trader Joe’s…which comes in two square sheets. Rectangles are cool too!

Cut about 12 or so squares out of each sheet. Score the squares with a square.

Place a dollop of the goat cheese on top of each square.

Plop a blackberry on each square. Now bake!

That’s right.

Pure gold. Now add a little bit of arugula under each blackberry and now we’re talking!!

If you wanna take it to another level, drizzle a little bit of aged balsamic on top!

I bet your guests will go crazy for these. Or you could be like me and not have guests over…just eat them like their going out of style. I suggest a Moscow Mules with these. Just do it.

Blackberry Lemon Goat Cheese Squares

makes about 24-30

• 6 oz goat cheese, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed (I used Trader Joe’s)
• 1/2 pint blackberries
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• small handful arugula

Preheat oven 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment & set aside.

In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese, lemon zest, honey & milk together. In another small bowl stir the blackberries with the balsamic vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes.  On a lightly floured surface, cut the puff pastry into 2 inch squares. Place squares onto the parchment lined sheet  about 2 inches apart and score a square into the pastry making sure not to cut all the way through to the bottom.

Place a dollop of lemon goat cheese on top of each square and top with a blackberry. Bake squares for 15-20 minutes until golden. Let squares cool and place a leaf of arugula under each blackberry. Serve warm or at room temperature.