PARTY BITES

Get the festivities off to a cracking start with these quick and easy nibbles

- COMPILED BY: JESS MEYER

Hey pesto pastry Christmas tree

SERVES 10

Easy and eye-catching, this festive tear-and-share number really brings the Christmas cheer to the table.

YOU WILL NEED

2 x 320g packs ready rolled puff pastry

4tbsp basil pesto

4tbsp sun-dried tomato pesto

50 pitted green olives

20g sweet drop peppers

100g mini mozzarella balls

Chives, to garnish

Mayo mixed with a little extra pesto, to serve (optional)

You will need:

A star cutter

HOW TO DO IT

1 Heat the oven with a large baking tray inside to 180C Fan. Unroll both sheets of pastry, leave one on the baking paper and spread with basil pesto. Spread the other with sun-dried tomato pesto, then sandwich together, so both fillings are on the inside.

2 With the short side of the rectangle facing you, cut out a basic Christmas tree shape - a triangle with a trunk. Cut star shapes from the offcuts.

3 Gently score down the middle of the tree to create a trunk, and make cuts at 2cm intervals down each side of the triangle to create branches.

4 Starting at the top, twist each 'branch' twice towards you. Transfer on the paper to the hot baking tray and cook for 20 mins until golden and puffed. Decorate with the toppings and return to the oven for 3 mins so mozzarella melts. Snip over fresh chives and serve with pesto mayo if liked.