Savory Cheese Pie Appetizer Recipe (Banitza/Banitsa)
Bulgarian cheese banitza (banitsa) appetizers are
similar to Serbian "bureks" and Greek cheese pies. They are
traditionally served warm as a first course or in a "meze"
(appetizer) spread. They are popular as a vegetarian main course, snack and
street food. Banitzi also can be a sweet dessert with apple and pumpkin among
the fillings.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 16 Banitzi
Makes 16 banitzi
Ingredients:
-
2 cups crumbled, well-drained Bulgarian feta cheese
-
6 tablespoons plain yogurt
-
2 large eggs, beaten
-
16 sheets filo dough, thawed
-
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
-
Sea salt and chopped green onions for garnish, if desired
Directions:
Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, combine
cheese, yogurt and eggs until smooth.
Fold one sheet of filo dough in half so it measures
12 inches by 8 inches. Brush lightly with melted butter.
Portion out a 1/2-inch strip of filling along either
the 12-inch edge if you want an "S"-shaped scroll, or along the
8-inch edge for a cigar-shaped roll and 1/4 inch away from the edges. Fold up
bottom edge first, then sides and then roll away from yourself until you have a
tight cylinder. Brush lightly with more melted butter.
Repeat with remaining 15 sheets of filo dough. Shape
long cylinders into "S" shapes or leave short cylinders as is and
place them on a parchment-lined pan. Sprinkle with sea salt and chopped green
onions, if desired. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Serve
warm or at room temperature.
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