Due to its distinctive layered structure, filo lends itself to creating decorative dishes of all shapes and sizes. By simply placing squares of filo sheets at slightly different angles to one another in a tart tin or muffin tray, you can produce a star effect perfect for open-topped pies large and small. With a little extra effort, it is even possible to create bon bons, cornets and crackers – ideal as canapés and starters. A good tip to reduce any tears while making your filo fancies is to store the sheets under a damp cloth, but the beauty of filo is that even if a hole does appear all is not lost as it can be easily covered up with more layers of pastry, which also supplies a bit of added strength. However, if you don’t want to run the risk or are in search of something a little easier but equally impressive, carefully scrunch up the filo sheets into balls for quick and easy pie topping.
With such a rich culinary history behind it in dishes such as baklava and spanakopita, and the more modern day twists now possible, however you decide to roll, layer, scrunch or slice your filo pastry, this versatile ingredient guarantees a tasty dish will be ready and waiting at your fingertips.
