Hazelnut Fig Twists

You will love these! Did you know hazelnuts are a rich source of dietary fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, and heart healthy B vitamins? Adapted from the Hazelnut Council.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Yields: 22-24 twists

Ingredients

• 1 (17 1/3ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1  egg, beaten
• 1  tablespoon cold water
• 3⁄4 cup blue cheese, crumbled
• 1 1⁄4 cups hazelnuts, toasted, skin removed and diced, divided

• Fig Preserve(use 3/4 cup)

• 2  tablespoons shallots, chopped
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 3⁄4 cup dried mission figs, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup  ruby port
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions

1. To make Fig Preserve:
2. Sauté the chopped shallots in butter until softened, but not browned. Add chopped dried mission figs, port and dried thyme. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes or until figs are tender and most of liquid is absorbed; cool.
3. Purée in food processor to a rough paste.
4. To prepare Twists:
5. Preheat oven to 400*F.
6. Place pastry sheets on lightly floured work surface. Beat egg and water, set aside. Spread fig preserve evenly over one pastry sheet. Sprinkle blue cheese and 3/4 cup hazelnuts over preserve. Place second pastry sheet over hazelnuts.
7. Brush top of pastry with beaten egg. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, gently pressing nuts into pastry. Turn pastry over and repeat with beaten egg and remaining hazelnuts. Pastry should measure 9x12".
8. Cut pastry across shortest width into 1/2-inch strips. Twist and arrange on greased baking sheet. Bake at 400*F for 15 minutes or until risen and golden. Cool on wire rack.