
These vibrant vegetarian wellingtons combine earthy beetroot, creamy Stilton, and sautéed kale wrapped in golden, flaky puff pastry. A sophisticated and impressive main course perfect for Sunday roasts or festive holiday dinners.
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for about 10 minutes until softened but not browned. Stir in the crushed garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the shredded kale and vegetable stock to the pan. Cover with a lid and steam for 5 minutes until the kale wilts. Remove the lid and continue cooking for 5 more minutes, or until all the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the toasted pine nuts and thyme leaves. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let it cool completely to room temperature.
Prepare the pastry: Unroll one pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out slightly so it is 5cm wider and longer, then cut into four equal rectangles. Place these on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and chill in the fridge. Unroll the second pastry sheet, cut it into four equal rectangles (these will be the lids), and chill those as well.
Once the kale mixture is cool, gently fold in the chunks of cooked beetroot and crumbled Stilton. Take the smaller pastry rectangles out of the fridge. Spoon the filling onto the center of each, piling it high but leaving a 1cm border around the edges.
Brush the pastry borders with the beaten egg. Place the larger pastry rectangles over the filling and press the edges firmly to seal, using a fork to crimp them. Cut a small steam vent in the top of each wellington, glaze the tops with more beaten egg, and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas 6). Bake the wellingtons for 40 minutes until the pastry is crisp and deep golden brown. Insert a metal skewer into the center to ensure the filling is piping hot. Serve immediately, ideally with a rich port or red wine gravy.
To prevent a 'soggy bottom,' ensure the cooked beetroot is thoroughly patted dry with kitchen paper before mixing. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can substitute the Stilton with vegetarian goat's cheese or feta.





