Crispy Ratatouille Turnovers with Basil Almond Pesto

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Flaky pockets of puff pastry stuffed with caramelized eggplant, sweet yellow onions, tender zucchini and red bell pepper. Serve over your favorite marinara sauce with a side of basil almond pesto for dipping.

Crispy Ratatouille Turnovers
serves 4
3 tbl extra virgin olive oil
1 eggplant, peeled, medium dice
1 sweet onion, medium dice
1 cup white wine
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 zucchini, medium dice
1 red bell pepper, medium dice
2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup vegetable broth
salt and pepper, to taste
2 sheets (1 box) puff pastry, thawed
2 tbl vegan cheese, such as Daiya Jalapeno Garlic Havarti, crumbled, optional
1 cup marinara sauce

Preheat the oven to 375.
Over medium high heat, saute the eggplant and onion in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the eggplant is very tender and caramelized. Deglaze the bottom of the pan with white wine, scraping up all the bits.
Add the garlic, zucchini, red bell pepper, dried basil and red pepper flakes. Saute for 5-7 minutes more then add the broth. Cook for 5 more minutes until all of the broth has been absorbed. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool.
Unfold each sheet of puff pastry and cut in half so you have 4 pieces. Fill each center generously with ratatouille,and cheese if using and fold over to seal. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle the tops with olive oil or oil spray. Bake for 30 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce and pesto.

Basil Almond Pesto
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
3 tbl roughly chopped toasted almonds
1 tbl nutritional yeast
1/4 tsp salt
pinch of red pepper flakes

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.