Middle Eastern Cheese Pastry 2

Ingredients

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

Method

1. Start by taking the 100 g of butter out of the refrigerator and allowing it to come to room temperature. This will make it easier to incorporate into the dough. Also, bring the egg to room temperature by leaving it out for a few minutes. This helps in achieving a smoother dough texture.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 300 g of flour with the softened butter. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This step ensures that the butter is evenly distributed, which will create a flaky pastry.
3. Add the room temperature egg to the flour and butter mixture. Mix gently with your hands until a dough forms. The dough should be soft and pliable but not sticky. If it's too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Cut the dough into squares or circles, depending on your preference. Ensure the shapes are uniform for even cooking.
5. Grate or crumble the 200 g of cheese and place a small amount in the center of each dough piece. Fold the dough over the cheese to form a pocket, pressing the edges firmly to seal. This step ensures the cheese stays inside while baking.
6. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the filled pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each piece. Bake in the preheated oven until the pastries are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, which should take about 20 minutes.
7. Remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm, allowing the flavors to meld and the cheese to remain gooey. This is the ideal temperature for enjoying the pastries at their best.