Goat Cheese and Bacon Phyllo Purses

Preheat the oven to 400F.

Stir together goat cheese, chives, cooked and crumbled bacon, and a few grinds of black pepper in a small bowl. (If the goat cheese is too hard, put it in the microwave for 10 seconds.)

Unroll the phyllo dough onto a dry surface. Remove 1 sheet of phyllo dough and place it on a dry surface (I put a sheet of wax paper between the dough and countertop).

Brush the entire top of the sheet with melted butter. Top with another sheet of phyllo and brush the top of it with melted butter. Repeat with one more sheet of phyllo. Cut the stack into 4 equal rectangles. Repeat with the second set of dough sheets.

Place a golf ball-sized portion of filling onto the center of each piece of dough. Gather the sides of the dough into a pouch and form a purse, pinching the gathered dough at the top (see photo).

Tie a chive or a strip of green onion around the gathered dough. Place the purse onto a lined baking sheet and lightly brush with additional melted butter. Continue with remaining filling, dough rectangles and chives.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until the phyllo purse tops are golden brown and crispy. Remove from oven and let cool. Serve warm or room temperature