Melitinia (Sweet Cheese Pastries) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups mizithra cheese or 2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons water

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F.
Place cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl and mix well so that all the ingredients are blended.
Add 1 tbsp of the flour into the mixture and combine.
To make the pastry, place remaining flour in another large bowl and add olive oil.
Begin to make dough by kneading the mixture, gradually adding the water and continuing to knead the mixture into a soft dough (add more water if necessary).
Roll out pastry on lightly floured board as thinly as possible.
Cut 3 1/2 inch circles in pastry with wine glass or pastry cutter.
Pinch sides upward to make octagonal cases.
Place pastries on an oiled baking sheet and spoon a tablespoon of filling into each pastry case.
Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.