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PersianAuthentic Cuisine

Persian Cheese Pastry

Serves 4 to 6 Pastry vegetarian, Breads & Pastry

Persian Cheese Pastry

Persian Cheese Pastry, a beloved creation of home cooks, graces the table without ceremony but with much anticipation. This dish, hailing from the intimate settings of family kitchens, is a staple at gatherings where the focus is on sharing rather than formality. Crafted with a keen eye for balance, it reflects the hands-on approach of Persian culinary tradition, where ingredients are measured by intuition and experience.

Expect a golden, flaky exterior that yields to a rich, savory filling of cheese, embraced by the buttery layers of pastry. Each bite offers a contrast of textures, marrying the creamy cheese with the pastry's delicate crunch. It's a dish to savor, one that invites conversation and connection around the table.

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 come to room temperature. This will make it easier to incorporate into the dough. At the same time, bring the egg to room temperature by leaving it out on the counter. This helps the dough to mix more evenly.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 300 g of flour with a pinch of salt. Cut the softened butter into small cubes and add them to the flour. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This step ensures a flaky texture in the pastry.
  3. Grate or crumble the 200 g of cheese and set it aside. Lightly beat the room-temperature egg in a small bowl and gradually add it to the flour mixture. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until the dough starts to come together. If the dough feels too dry, add a tablespoon of cold water to help it bind.
  4. Once the dough has formed, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it 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.
  5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This resting period allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll out and shape.
  6. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 5 mm thickness. Cut the dough into squares or circles, depending on your preference.
  7. Place a small amount of the grated or crumbled cheese in the center of each pastry piece. Fold the edges over to enclose the cheese, pressing gently to seal. Arrange the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  8. Bake the pastries in the preheated oven until they are golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 15-20 minutes. The pastries should be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Serve warm, allowing the flavors to meld and the cheese to remain gooey.
Cover of Authentic Persian Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Persian Cuisine

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

Available soon on Amazon…

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