Mediterranean

Mediterranean Poppers

by:
December  8, 2011
4.8
4 Ratings
Mediterranean Poppers
  • Makes 12-15 poppers, depending on how full the wonton is filled
Author Notes

Horiatiki is a rustic Greek country salad; tomatoes, feta, olives and cucumber dressed with olive oil and oregano are the most standard elements in an American Greek version; I started making it after seeing drbab’s Food52 recipe.

Inspired by an onsite contest to make a one bite appetizer I thought why not the Mediterranean flavors of a Horiatiki? Since then I’ve served these poppers often; they are healthy and fancy, schmancy, always the first to go, oh and by the way, depending on your bite could possibility end up being a two bite appetizer!
—lapadia

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • FILLING: ingredients are for 12-15 poppers
  • 2 Persian or pickling sized cucumbers - 1 cup diced
  • 12 Cherry tomatoes
  • 12 Kalamata olives
  • 12 Feta cheese cubes – a little smaller than the olive
  • Herbes De Provence (I prefer it to oregano)
  • Fresh ground pepper
  • Mini tart pan
  • 15 Wonton Wrappers
Directions
  1. Combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon Herbes de Provence and fresh ground pepper. Let the ingredients sit and infuse, give it a stir now and then. Set aside until needed.
  2. Spray the wonton wrappers with a buttery spray (such as Pam) on both sides; line the mini tart pan with them pressing lightly into the middle to form a cup.
  3. Bake at 350° until the edges are crispy and brown, about 10-12 minutes. Let cool. NOTE - for a make ahead see the note below.
  4. Cut the filling ingredients into thirds and let sit in the refrigerator until ready to assemble. Can be done at least 3 hours ahead.
  5. About an hour before serving, fill each wonton cup - if needed, to minimize excessive liquid use a slotted spoon.
  6. Drizzle with a little olive oil mixture.
  7. Serve.
  8. NOTE TO MAKE IT AHEAD:
  9. Prepare to the end of step 3 (up to 2 days ahead), store in an airtight container.
  10. Next day, continue with step 4 up to - up to three hours ahead of serving.
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22 Reviews

cincoymaya
cincoymaya December 15, 2014
I was looking for an appetizer that wasn't fattening. These were perfect, easy to eat without a mess, delicious and very cute. I've used the same ingredients in a stack (cuke, cube feta, 1/2 cherry tomato, 1/2 olive with a drizzle of balsamic skewered with a toothpick) but it was a little difficult for people to eat while standing and holding a drink. Thanks Iapadia
 
lapadia
lapadia December 15, 2014
Hi! Your are welcome and thanks so much for your feedback; I'm happy these poppers worked out for you :)...
 
Bevi
Bevi November 1, 2014
Update: I am going to make these for Christmas for an appetizer. I think the red/green theme will be great. I am going for 50 since that's the count for a package of wontons. It's so easy to assemble these, it is almost criminal! And people go wild for them. Thanks for a recipe that I make over and over again!
 
lapadia
lapadia November 1, 2014
Thanks ladies, there is nothing better than the encouragement of friends!
Bevi, I had fun with your Bionocular “Bino” Bites, and not to forget Suzanne’s Pandoro Bread Pudding, both so tasty. xo
 
JanetFL
JanetFL August 11, 2013
Love one-bite appetizers and these are beautiful!
 
lapadia
lapadia August 12, 2013
Thanks JFL!
 
boulangere
boulangere August 11, 2013
I still think these are the most beautiful and clever little salads I've ever seen.
 
lapadia
lapadia August 11, 2013
Thanks B! The perfect contest to bring this recipe out of archive to share again. :)
 
Bevi
Bevi July 29, 2013
Sorry for the late comment. I made these for a July 4th party and they were a smash hit! They were simple to put together, and people really liked the presentation! I used a slotted spoon to put the filling into the wonton cups to keep out excess liquid.
 
lapadia
lapadia July 30, 2013
Thanks for the feedback, Bevi! I like your slotted spoon idea...
 
drbabs
drbabs December 10, 2011
I love this, lapadia! I hope you and your family have wonderful holidays.
 
lapadia
lapadia December 10, 2011
Thanks, drbabs! I can't stress enough how, Horiayaki has been my go to salad. Best of the Season to you and yours!
 
lorigoldsby
lorigoldsby December 10, 2011
These are so cute! To echo Sdebrango --brilliant! I will definitely be doing these...maybe alternating some with lamb and tzatziki sauce as a kind of mini gyro?
 
lapadia
lapadia December 10, 2011
Thanks, Lori! I made some more tonight, my husband loves them. Your mini gyro sound great, I was thinking of tzatziki as well. I assembled a little different than written here; I tossed all filling ingredients in the oil mixture, let sit in the fridg until needed. Filled the wonton wrappers just before serving. I haven't been able to edit my omission (oops) - a couple oomments down I have the "edits" written as it should be...as well there is a link to my site showing it in perfect form. Cheers to the Season!
 
Niknud
Niknud December 9, 2011
hahaha! It's like a taco salad.....but WAY classier. And greek. So maybe the analogy doesn't hold. At least I won't feel guilty when I devour a whole heap of them. These look so delicious and delicate!
 
lapadia
lapadia December 9, 2011
Enjoy Nikud and thanks for the comment! Here is a link with this recipe on my site, there aren't any instruction lines omitted, I still need to edit the one posted here, but can't at the moment.
http://lapadia.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/mediterranean-poppers/
 
Panfusine
Panfusine December 9, 2011
OOh, love this idea!
 
lapadia
lapadia December 9, 2011
Thanks, Panfusine, that is what my husband said, too! :) If you try these check the comment below, I couldn't get in to edit before deadline...oops!
 
lapadia
lapadia December 9, 2011
NOTE FROM RECIPE AUTHOR: After step 4 it should read as follows:
5. Fill each wonton cup with one of each = tomato, cucumber, olive and feta.
6. Drizzle with olive oil mixture. Serve
And then continue on with what should have been step 7 & 8.
 
lapadia
lapadia December 15, 2011
Recipe is edited (12-11-11) now.
 
lapadia
lapadia December 9, 2011
Thanks, HLA! Yes these "were' fresh...all of them eaten up in no time!
 
hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour December 9, 2011
These look really appetizing and fresh. I love all the flavors you've combined. Yum!