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PersianAuthentic Cuisine

Persian Layered Pie

Serves 4 to 6 Pastry vegetarian, Breads & Pastry

Persian Layered Pie

Persian Layered Pie is a staple of home cooking, making its way to the table for impromptu gatherings and everyday meals alike. It doesn't adhere to strict recipes but is crafted from a cook’s intuition, using generous pinches of salt and lavish amounts of butter. This dish reflects the practical, yet affectionate, nature of Persian home cooking, where each layer is built with care and shared among family.

The pie is a harmony of buttery pastry and herbaceous cheese, each bite offering a satisfying crunch followed by a melt-in-your-mouth sensation. The herbs lend a fresh, aromatic lift, making it a dish that stands proudly on its own. It's served warm, inviting everyone to indulge in its rich, comforting flavors.

Ingredients

  • 10pastry sheets
  • 200 gcheese
  • 100 gbutter
  • herbs — chopped

Method

  1. Begin by bringing the 100 g of butter to room temperature. This will make it easier to spread evenly over the pastry sheets later. Also, allow the 200 g of cheese to come to room temperature, which will help it blend smoothly with the other ingredients.
  2. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it's ready for baking. While the oven heats, prepare your workspace by laying out the 10 pastry sheets on a clean, dry surface.
  3. Melt the butter gently in a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, use a pastry brush to coat one side of each pastry sheet with a thin layer of butter. This will help the layers crisp up and turn golden during baking.
  4. Layer the buttered pastry sheets in a baking dish, one on top of the other. After every two sheets, sprinkle a portion of the room-temperature cheese and a handful of your chosen herbs between the layers. This will create a flavorful filling as the pie bakes.
  5. Once all the pastry sheets are layered with cheese and herbs, pour any remaining melted butter over the top. This final layer of butter will ensure a rich, golden crust.
  6. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the top is golden brown and crisp, which should take about 25-30 minutes. The aroma of the herbs and the sight of the bubbling cheese are good indicators that your pie is ready.
  7. Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. This will allow the layers to set and make it easier to cut into portions. Serve warm, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully at the table.
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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