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Middle EasternAuthentic Cuisine

Middle Eastern Cheese Pastry

Serves 4 to 6 Pastry vegetarian, Breads & Pastry

Middle Eastern Cheese Pastry

Middle Eastern Cheese Pastry is a staple at home tables across the region, crafted with the familiar touch of a seasoned hand. This isn't a dish you’ll find in bustling street markets or high-end restaurants; it’s the kind of comfort food that appears during casual family meals, where ingredients are measured by intuition and tradition rather than scales and spoons.

The pastry envelops a rich cheese filling, marrying a buttery, flaky crust with a creamy, tangy interior. It’s a celebration of simplicity, where the lushness of melted butter and the savory depth of cheese harmonize. When served, it’s meant to be shared, a communal offering that invites everyone to partake in its indulgent warmth.

Ingredients

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

Method

  1. Start by taking the 100 g of butter out of the refrigerator and let it 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 about 15 minutes; this helps it mix more evenly into the dough.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 300 g of flour with a pinch of salt. Add the softened butter and use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This step ensures the butter is evenly distributed, creating a flaky pastry.
  3. Crack the room-temperature egg into the flour and butter mixture. Use a wooden spoon to mix until the dough starts to come together. If the dough feels too dry, add a tablespoon of cold water at a time until it forms a cohesive ball.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently for about 2 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll out.
  5. While the dough rests, grate 200 g of cheese. Choose a cheese that melts well, such as feta or a mild white cheese. Set the cheese aside; it will be the filling for your pastry.
  6. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface to about 3 mm thickness. Cut the dough into squares or circles, depending on your preference.
  7. Place a small amount of grated cheese in the center of each dough piece. Fold the dough over the cheese to form a triangle or half-moon shape, pressing the edges to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch and to ensure they are sealed well.
  8. Arrange the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. The pastries should be crisp and flaky on the outside.
  9. Remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm, allowing the cheese to remain gooey and the pastry to retain its crispness. These pastries are perfect for sharing at the table.
Cover of Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine

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

Available soon on Amazon…

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