Filo Cups with Whipped Tomato Ricotta and Tuna Tartare
A Perfect Appetiser for Any Occasion: Filo Cups with Whipped Tomato Ricotta and Tuna Tartare
If you’re looking for a fresh, vibrant, and impressive appetiser, these Filo Cups with Whipped Tomato Ricotta and Tuna Tartare are the perfect choice for your next gathering. Combining the crisp, light texture of filo pastry with creamy, tangy whipped ricotta and fresh tuna tartare, these bite-sized treats will be the highlight of any occasion. Easy to prepare yet bursting with flavour, this recipe is ideal for entertaining guests, especially during the festive season. Perfect for Christmas, these filo cups add a touch of elegance to your holiday spread! Scroll down or tap the ‘Jump to Recipe’ button for a printable recipe card.
These filo cups are a great way to impress your guests with minimal effort. The delicate filo pastry is baked until golden and crispy, providing a perfect contrast to the smooth whipped ricotta and zesty tuna tartare. This dish brings together bold flavours and unique textures, making it a standout option for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any special celebration. Whether you're hosting a festive dinner or looking for a quick, elegant starter for a party, these filo cups are sure to delight.
Ingredients Overview
This recipe combines simple, high-quality ingredients to create an unforgettable flavour profile. Tuna tartare, made with fresh, sushi-grade tuna and seasoned with a touch of jalapeño, soy sauce, and lime, brings a refreshing zing to the dish. Paired with creamy whipped ricotta flavoured with tomato powder, lime zest, and yogurt, the result is a rich, balanced bite. The filo pastry adds an irresistible crunch, while sesame seeds and fresh parsley garnish the dish for extra colour and texture.
One of the standout ingredients in this recipe is Jux freeze-dried products. Their freeze-dried red onion, ginger powder, parsley, and tomato powder are game-changers in the kitchen. These products preserve the nutrition and flavours of fresh ingredients while offering the convenience of a long shelf life. The freeze-drying method locks in all the goodness, making them perfect to have on hand for last-minute cooking or to add an extra burst of flavour to your dishes. You can also get a 10% discount on your first Jux order with my discount code SHICOCOOKS10.
Easy to Make and Customisable
Although it looks impressive, this recipe is simple and quick to make. The filo cups can be prepared in advance, allowing you to focus on assembling the tartare and ricotta filling when it's time to serve. Plus, the recipe is easily adaptable: you can adjust the amount of jalapeño for more or less heat or even swap the tuna for another protein, like salmon, if you prefer. The whipped ricotta can be made ahead of time, making this a great recipe for prepping in advance.
How to Make Filo Cups with Whipped Tomato Ricotta and Tuna Tartare
Prepare the Tuna Tartare
Dice the fresh tuna into small cubes. In a bowl, combine the tuna with finely chopped jalapeño, Jux freeze-dried red onion, ginger powder, parsley, soy sauce, olive oil, and lime juice. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to assemble.
Make the Filo Cups
Cut the filo sheets into squares. Brush each with olive oil, then layer two squares crosswise in a greased muffin tin to form 12 cups. Bake until golden and crispy, keeping an eye on them to prevent burning.
Prepare the Whipped Tomato Ricotta
Whisk together ricotta cheese, Jux freeze-dried tomato powder, lime zest, yogurt, olive oil, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Filo Cups
Once the filo cups have cooled, fill each with whipped tomato ricotta and top with tuna tartare. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh parsley for extra flavour and colour. Scroll down for the full printable recipe card with measurements.
Serving Tips and Variations
Serve Immediately: Once assembled, these filo cups are best enjoyed immediately, as the pastry can soften over time. If preparing ahead, store the filo cups, whipped ricotta, and tuna tartare separately, and assemble just before serving.
Add More Heat: If you enjoy a bit of spice, you can leave the seeds in the jalapeño to add more heat to the tuna tartare.
Customisation: While tuna works beautifully in this recipe, you can easily swap it for other fresh seafood, like salmon, or even a vegetarian filling such as roasted vegetables or a simple avocado salad.
Why You’ll Love This Filo Cups with Whipped Tomato Ricotta and Tuna Tartare
Impressive yet Simple: With minimal prep and cook time, these filo cups look and taste like they’ve come straight from a fine dining restaurant.
Fresh and Light: The combination of fresh tuna, creamy ricotta, and crispy filo creates a balanced and refreshing bite that’s perfect for any occasion.
Customisable: Adjust the heat level, swap proteins, or add more toppings to suit your taste.
Perfect for Christmas: These filo cups make a sophisticated addition to your Christmas menu, adding a festive touch to your holiday spread.
Jux Freeze-Dried Goodness: The Jux freeze-dried ingredients bring extra flavour and nutrition while offering long-lasting convenience, making them a pantry staple.
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Prep Time:
20 minsCook Time:
7 minsTotal Time:
27 mins
Servings12
Best Season
Suitable throughout the year
Description
These Filo Cups with Whipped Tomato Ricotta and Tuna Tartare are a show-stopping appetiser that's as elegant as it is delicious. Light, flaky filo pastry forms the perfect base for a creamy whipped ricotta infused with tangy tomato and lime zest. Topped with fresh, zesty tuna tartare and garnished with sesame seeds and parsley, each bite is a delightful balance of textures and flavours. Ideal for entertaining, these bite-sized treats are easy to prepare yet look and taste impressive—your guests will love them!
Ingredients
For the Tuna Tartare:
250g tuna (diced into small cubes)
1 jalapeño (deseeded and finely chopped)
1tbsp dry-freeze red onion (I use Jux)
1tsp dry-freeze ginger powder (I use Jux)
2tsp dry-freeze parsley (I use Jux)
1.5tbsp soy sauce
1tsp olive oil
1/2 of lime (juice)
For the Filo Cups:
2sheets filo pastry
2tbsp olive oil
For the Whipped Tomato Ricotta:
150g ricotta cheese
1tbsp dry-freeze tomato powder (I use Jux)
1 lime (zest only)
2tbsp plain yogurt
1 Pinch of salt
1tsp olive oil
For Garnish:
Sesame seeds
Parsley leaves
Instructions
For the Tuna Tartare: In a bowl, combine the diced tuna, jalapeño, dry-freeze red onion, ginger powder, parsley, soy sauce, olive oil, and lime juice. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate while you prepare the filo cups and whipped ricotta.
For the Filo Cups: Preheat the oven to 170°C (fan). Cut the filo sheets into 8cm x 8cm squares (you’ll need 24 squares). Brush each square lightly with olive oil. Stack two squares crosswise to form a star shape, then press them gently into a greased muffin tin to create 12 cups. Bake for 6–7 minutes or until golden brown. Keep a close eye on them as they can burn quickly. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
For the Whipped Tomato Ricotta: In a bowl, whisk together the ricotta, dry-freeze tomato powder, lime zest, yogurt, salt, and olive oil until smooth and creamy.
To Assemble: Fill each filo cup with a spoonful of whipped ricotta. Top with tuna tartare.
To Garnish: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh parsley leaves. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Filo Cups: Keep a close eye on the filo cups while baking, as they can brown quickly. If you prefer, you can prepare the filo cups in advance and store them in an airtight container once cooled.
Tuna Tartare: For the best flavour, use fresh, sushi-grade tuna. If you're not a fan of jalapeño, you can adjust the heat level by adding less or omitting it entirely. If you like heat, feel free to keep the seeds in the jalapeño for an extra kick!
Whipped Ricotta: The ricotta mixture can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a day before assembling the cups.
Make-Ahead: Both the tuna tartare and whipped ricotta can be prepared ahead of time and kept chilled in the fridge. Just assemble the cups just before serving for the freshest taste.
Serving Suggestion: These filo cups are perfect for special occasions or casual gatherings. You can easily double or halve the recipe depending on the number of guests.
Assembly: Once assembled, serve the filo cups immediately as the pastry may soften over time.
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