Tiropitakia (Miniature Greek Cheese Pies) - cooking recipe

Ingredients
    For the Pastry
    1/2 lb phyllo pastry, refrigerated
    3/4 cup butter, melted
    1/2 cup sesame seeds
    1 egg yolk
    For the Filling
    1 cup emmenthaler cheese (Swiss) or 1 cup similar cheese, grated
    1/2 cup feta
    4 ounces ricotta cheese or 4 ounces cottage cheese
    2 eggs, beaten lightly
    2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
    2 tablespoons of fresh mint, chopped
    1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Preparation
    Remove the filo pastry from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature about 1 hour.
    Make the filling by mashing the feta until it crumbles.
    Add to this the eggs, Emmenthal cheese, ricotta, parsley, mint and pepper and blend well.
    Cut each filo leaf into a strip 6 x 12\" (15 x 30 cm).
    Brush each leaf with the melted butter.
    Fold the leaves in half lengthwise making strips 3 x l1\" (6 x 30 cm).
    Again brush with butter and place 1 Tbsp.
    of the filling at the bottom of each leaf.
    Fold over to form a triangle (like you were folding a flag) and continue folding until the strip is completed.
    Repeat with each of the strips and place the completed triangles on a well greased cookie sheet.
    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
    Brush the tops of each triangle with butter and then with a mixture of the egg yolk and 2 Tbsp of water.
    Sprinkle over with the sesame seeds and bake in a medium oven until the pastries are golden brown and flaky (about 20- 30 minutes).
    Serve hot or cool.
    Yields 16- 24 pastries.

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