Masterchef sandwich-creation experiment

Watched Masterchef last night and was impressed by the competitors’ creativity, including egg wrap and pastry sandwiches instead of bread. I found puff pastry, kale, spinach, bacon, and apple in my freezer, fridge and made croutons from leftover bread crusts to enhance my own creation inspired by the show.

Kale is nutritious, low-calorie vegetables rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber: support heart health, immunity, and digestion. Kale is a superfood high in vitamins K, A, and C, while green beans provide fiber and essential minerals. A cup of raw kale has only 7-8 calories and can help increase “good” cholesterol while reducing “bad” cholesterol. Both vegetables can be enjoyed raw in salads, blended in smoothies, or cooked.”

“Baby spinach, the young leaf of the spinach plant (Spinacia oleracea), is harvested early for its sweeter flavour and tender texture. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, folate, iron, and fiber, making it highly nutritious and versatile for salads and cooking. With carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin that protect eye health, and high levels of nitrates that support blood pressure and circulation, it promotes overall health. Its compounds fight inflammation and oxidative stress while being low in calories and carbs, ideal for weight management. Baby spinach can be enjoyed raw or lightly cooked in various dishes.”

“Diced bacon is raw bacon cut into small cubes, ideal for quick cooking in dishes like soups, salads, and pasta. It offers a smoky, savoury flavour and cooks faster due to its uniform size, making it suitable for various meals like scrambled eggs and frittatas. While rich in protein and B vitamins, it should be used sparingly due to its high sodium and fat content, with a recommendation of one or two servings a week. To achieve the best results, cook it in a cold pan. Crispy bacon bits can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.”

“Royal Gala apple is a popular variety of apple; its bright red-orange striped skin and creamy-white flesh. It is nutritious, high in Vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, making it beneficial for digestion and heart health. With its sweet flavour and mild floral notes, it is ideal for fresh eating and children’s lunches. This small to medium-sized apple contains about 80 calories and contributes to nerve and heart function while promoting satiety due to its dietary fiber content.”

“Puff pastry is a light, flaky, and buttery dough created through a lamination process, which layers dough and fat to form many crisp layers that rise in the oven using steam. It offers a delicate texture and rich flavour, making it suitable for various dishes, including desserts and savory meals. While traditional preparation can be lengthy, frozen or store-bought options allow for quick appetizers and desserts. Simple recipes look professional due to the dough’s significant puffing, and it can be shaped and filled with diverse ingredients. Bake at high temperatures of 200-250 degrees C for optimal rise.”

Glad I got ingredients at hand to try out Masterchef sandwich competition. It beautiful, flavourful and delicious. Let’s create Masterchef sandwich!!!

Ingredients

Kale, spinach, bacon, and apple

2-3 stalks of kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
1 small royal gala apple, diced
1 puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, beaten with 2 Tsp milk
1/2 small onion, diced
1 Tbs minced garlic
1 Tbs apple cider vinegar
150 g baby spinach leaves
100 g diced bacon
salt
black pepper

Crouton

1 1/2 leftover bread crust, tiny cubed
1/2 sliced cheddar piece, bought
1/8 tsp garlic powder
oil
salt
black pepper

Method

Crouton–trial and error

Preheat oven to 180º C. Place the cubed bread into a small baking pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, garlic, and pepper. Toss gently to coat evenly. Drizzle with oil again if needed. Bake for 5 minutes first; tossing every 1 minute until golden. Make sure not burn. If still not golden and crusty. Bake a further 1-2 minutes until golden and crisp.

Remove croutons from oven. Switch off oven and transfer them to the lined plate to absorb excess oil. Let cool. Note: from one of the recipes that I had browsed to make croutons: “croutons are best enjoyed within a few hours of baking, as they can become a bit tough over time. From another recipe: “can store in a plastic zip bag in the freezer.” Label and date it.

Bacon, and cheese

Meantime, place diced bacon into a cold saucepan and turn the heat to medium. Stir occasionally until it is browned and crispy for about 5–7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving some of fat in the pan. If not enough fat add 1/2 Tbs oil.

Turn heat to low. Add cheese to the oil saucepan, add some cooked diced bacon on top of the cheese. Cover the pan with a lid for 30 seconds-1 minute until the cheese is melted slightly. Remove from hob and remove the cheese and bacon to a plate. Set aside until needed.

Kale, spinach and apple

Using the same saucepan add 1/2 Tbs oil on medium heat. Next add garlic, onion, and diced apples to bacon fat and oil. Cook until soft for about 5 minutes. Add kale, apple cider vinegar, and spinach, cooking until wilted about 3-5 minutes. Ensure all liquid evaporates to avoid soggy pastry. Now add in the cooked diced bacon. Mixed well. Allow vegetables apple and bacon mixture to cool entirely before placing it on the pastry about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Assemble the Wrap

Preheat the oven to 190ºC-200ºC and prepare a lined baking tray after cutting thawed puff pastry in half. Place cooled filling in the center. Fold over to make a square parcel, and seal the four folded pastry tightly and leaving the centre open.

Cut the cheese and crouton in half and then place the cheese and crouton in to the parcel centre. Brush the pastry all over with beaten egg milk mixture. Also brush some egg milk mixture over the cheese and crouton. Sprinkle some black pepper. Bake in the middle of the oven for even browning for 15 minutes first. Cut the cheese and crouton in half and then place the cheese and crouton in to the parcel centre. Brush the pastry all over with beaten egg milk mixture. Also brush some egg milk mixture over the cheese and crouton. Sprinkle some black pepper.

Bake in the middle of the oven for even browning for 15 minutes first. If not puffed and golden brown put a further 5-10 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. It is ready when it is well-puffed and golden brown. Switch off oven. Bring out the baking tray from oven to a chopping board. Let it sit for at least 5-10 minutes before transferring to a plate to allow the filling to set. Enjoy with a glass of Pinot Griggs.

https://helenscchin.com/2026/05/14/kale-spinach-bacon-apple-puff-pastry-sandwich/

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