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Korean Cheese Pastry

Serves 4 to 6 Pastry vegetarian, Breads & Pastry

Korean Cheese Pastry

Korean Cheese Pastry is a beloved fixture at home tables, crafted with a simple yet generous hand. It's a dish that finds its way onto the table whenever there's a need for comfort, whether during a leisurely weekend brunch or as a simple snack to share among friends. This version captures the essence of Korean home cooking, where measurements are often felt rather than measured, and the focus is on warmth and sharing.

The pastry is a delightful balance of flaky and rich, with buttery layers enveloping the savory depth of cheese. Each bite should melt in your mouth, the cheese providing a subtle tang that complements the buttery crust. Enjoy it warm, fresh from the oven, where its textures and flavors are at their peak.

Ingredients

  • 300 gflour
  • 200 gcheese
  • 100 gbutter
  • 1egg

Method

  1. Begin by taking the 100 g of butter out of the refrigerator and allowing it to soften at room temperature. Crack the egg into a small bowl and let it sit out to reach room temperature as well. This ensures that both ingredients will incorporate smoothly into the dough, creating a uniform texture.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 300 g of flour with the softened butter. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This technique helps distribute the fat evenly, which will create a tender and flaky pastry.
  3. Grate or finely chop 200 g of cheese and set it aside. This cheese will be folded into the dough later, adding a rich, savory flavor to the pastry.
  4. Create a well in the center of the flour and butter mixture. Add the room temperature egg into the well and gently mix with a fork, slowly incorporating the flour from the sides. Mix until a rough dough forms, then turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
  5. Knead the dough gently for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can make the pastry tough. Once smooth, flatten the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow it to rest and firm up.
  6. Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/2 cm thickness. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over half of the dough, then fold the other half over the cheese, pressing down gently to seal.
  7. Cut the folded dough into desired shapes, such as squares or rectangles. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each piece to allow for expansion during baking.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven until the pastries are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, about 15-20 minutes. The pastries should have a crisp exterior and a soft, cheesy interior. Allow them to cool slightly before serving, as they will be very hot inside.
Cover of Authentic Korean Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Korean Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Korean Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Korean volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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