The Art of the Savoury Coil

These Chicken Swirls—a golden assembly of flaky puff pastry, seasoned chicken mince, and vibrant layers of spinach and cheese—stand as a reliable staple in the kitchen. Beyond a simple meal, this dish highlights the tactile satisfaction of rolling pastry and the aromatic shift as the spirals turn golden in the oven. 

Method

1. Lay 2 sheets of thawed puff pastry on baking paper, one above the other, overlapping them by approximately 2cm. Brush a small amount of water between the two sheets and press down firmly to create a single, large pastry base.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 400g of chicken mince, 3 finely chopped spring onions (or 1/2 a brown onion), 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

3. Place the chicken mixture onto the pastry and spread it out evenly, leaving a 5cm border at the top edge free of filling.

4. Add a layer of the 300g of thawed and well-drained spinach over the meat, followed by a layer of grated or thinly sliced cheese.

5. Using the baking paper to assist you, roll the pastry over the filling to create a long cylinder. Brush the final edge with water to stick the roll closed and ensure the seam is secure.

6. Slice the roll into even pieces, approximately 3cm wide.

7. Place the spirals on a well-greased oven tray and bake at 200°C for 20–30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is cooked through.

Ritual of Presence

• The Intentional Join: As you overlap the two sheets of puff pastry and press them together with water, focus on the manual act of creating a single, unified foundation. Notice the cool, damp texture of the pastry under your hands, letting this simple task root you in the present moment.

• The Sensory Integration: When mixing the chicken mince with the spring onions, garlic, and parsley, pay close attention to the aromatic shift—the sharp scent of the onions and the pungent garlic. Notice the weight and resistance of the ingredients as they become evenly combined, acknowledging this manual act as a "quiet alchemy of the hearth".

• The Architecture of Layers: As you spread the filling and add the vibrant green of the drained spinach and the richness of the cheese, observe the contrast of colours and textures. Treat this layering as an intentional act of construction, watching how each element settles into the next to create a sense of "savoury abundance".

• The Controlled Roll: Using the baking paper as a guide, feel the weight and resistance of the pastry as you roll it into a cylinder. The final "brushed-on water" to stick the roll closed serves as a small, quiet moment of completion, ensuring the structure of your spirals remains secure during the bake.

• The Golden Wait: During the 20–30 minute bake, intentionally step away from the rush of the day. As the kitchen fills with the warm, comforting scent of toasted pastry, watch through the oven glass as the swirls reach their peak of golden crispness, acknowledging this time as a vital "ingredient of patience".