Spinach Dip Christmas Tree Recipe With Salmon And Ricotta

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Looking for a festive and delicious appetizer to impress your guests this Christmas? This Spinach, Salmon, and Ricotta Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is the perfect choice! Not only is it visually stunning, resembling a Christmas tree, but it’s also packed with flavor. The creamy ricotta pairs wonderfully with the fresh spinach and savory smoked salmon, making each bite a delight.

This recipe is incredibly easy to make and a fun project that even kids can help with. It takes just 30 minutes to prepare, so you won’t be spending all day in the kitchen. Plus, it’s highly customizable—you can easily swap out the salmon for other ingredients if you prefer a vegetarian version or want to experiment with different flavors.

Serve this puff pastry Christmas tree as an appetizer at your holiday party, and it’s sure to be a hit. It’s light yet satisfying, making it an excellent choice to start your festive meal. Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or an intimate dinner, this recipe adds a special touch to your celebration. Get ready to wow your guests with this easy, tasty, and festive appetizer!

To Know About This Recipe

• Difficulty: Easy (kids can help too)
• Prep Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg of spinach leaves
• 1 pot of ricotta
• 200 g of smoked salmon
• 2 puff pastry sheets
• Salt
• Pepper

Preparation

0. Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).

1. Cook the spinach

• Place the spinach in a pot with a bit of water to prevent sticking.
• Keep an eye on it and add more water if necessary. The spinach should reduce and release its water to avoid making the pastry soggy during baking.

2. Prepare the salmon

• Cut the smoked salmon into small cubes, as shown in the photo below.

3. Mix the filling

• Combine the ricotta with a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Once the spinach is cooked and drained, add it to the ricotta mixture and stir well.

4. Prepare the pastry

• Lay the two puff pastry sheets on top of each other and cut out a large triangle shape, as shown in the photo below.
• Remove the top pastry sheet and set it aside.

5. Spread the filling

• Spread the ricotta and spinach mixture evenly over the first puff pastry sheet. It should look like the photo below.
• Add the salmon cubes evenly over the mixture.

6. Assemble the tree

• Cover with the second puff pastry sheet and gently press the edges to seal.
• Starting from the base of the triangle, cut branches on each side, leaving a strip in the center uncut. Twist each branch as you go, creating a tree-like shape.

7. Bake

• Bake in the oven at 200°C (392°F) for 20 minutes. Check periodically and add another 5 to 10 minutes if the tree isn’t golden enough.

8. Enjoy!

• Once baked to perfection, your delicious puff pastry Christmas tree is ready to serve. Enjoy this festive and tasty treat with your loved ones!

Alternatives

For Vegetarians

You can make a vegetarian puff pastry Christmas tree for a vegetarian Christmas meal. There are several options available. You can keep the spinach and add halved cherry tomatoes and feta cheese. Another option is to make a four-cheese puff pastry tree with brie, goat cheese, and blue cheese. Don’t hesitate to play with spices to add flavor and color to your tree. I also recommend adding antipasti like sun-dried tomatoes, which I love!

For Dessert

You can also make a puff pastry Christmas tree for dessert. For example, you can turn it into an apple tart. I suggest cutting the apples into small pieces to make it easier to twist the branches.

Another option is to make a chocolate puff pastry tree. In this case, the Christmas recipe becomes super easy and quick. Simply spread a layer of chocolate spread (please choose one without palm oil, they are widely available now) on the bottom layer, cover it, and follow the same steps as above.

You can also have fun with different types of chocolate. For example, melt dark chocolate in a double boiler, then do the same with milk chocolate. Spread a strip of dark chocolate, then a strip of milk chocolate, and continue alternating.