Macedonian Bulgarian Banitsa With Variations On Savory Fillings Recipes

SIMPLE BULGARIAN BANITSA

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, ( glass pyrex pan works great for this recipe) brush melted butter all over bottom amd sides of baking pan.
• 2. Mix salt, cheese and milk and eggsin a bowl , combine and stir ingredients well.
• 3. Put down 5 sheets of phyllo dough down in buttered pan and brush over with melted butter. You can also put down one sheet at a time and butter seperatelly.
• 4. Pour enough of the mixture to cover phyllo sheets and top with 3 more sheets.
• 5. Continue to repeat the process: put down 3 sheets and make sure to brush them well with butter then layer with mixture until all of the mixture is done, then cover with atleast 2 sheets. I preffer not to butter the top sheets as they tend to get very hard after the banitsa is done baking.
• 6. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until golden, make sure mixture is cooked in the middle by cutting into banitsa. When the mixture is cooked it will not be runny.
• 7. Once banitsa is done cover it with either a towell or the lid to the pan and let it sit and cool before cutting it or serving. Covering it lets the steam soften the phyllo dough sheets.

MACEDONIAN-BULGARIAN BANITSA WITH VARIATIONS ON SAVORY FILLINGS

Steps:

• FOR THE COTTAGE FILLING: Mash ingredients well together with a fork.
• FOR THE COTTAGE CHEESE AND SPINACH: Chop spinach and remove stems; simmer in butter covered in frying pan; add salt and remove from burner. Cool slightly and add cottage cheese and eggs; stir well. Cool before using.
• FOR THE COTTAGE CHEESE AND LEEKS: Above ingredients may be used substituting 2 cups chopped FRIED leeks for spinach.
• FOR THE SAUERKRAUT: Wash and drain sauerkraut thoroughly; melt butter in frying pan and add sauerkraut. Fry for 10 minutes; add paprika and cheese, stir well with a fork. Allow to cool and add eggs. Mix well.
• FOR THE MINCED MEAT AND ONION: Melt butter in frying pan and fry onions, green pepper and meat at medium heat, stirring constantly until meat has changed colour. Add paprika, tomatoes and salt. Mix well and continue to cook for another 10 minutes. Add black pepper. Allow to cool before using.
• FOR THE ONION: Melt butter in frying pan and sauté onions and peppers until soft, being careful not to burn. Add seasonings, stir. Remove from heat and allow to cool; add eggs. Mix well.
• FOR THE BANITSA: Dissolve 1/2 teaspoons sugar in 1/4 cup lukewarm water. Sprinkle yeast over it and let stand for about 10 minutes. Sift flour in bowl and make a well. Add salt and yeast mixture. Then add 1 cup lukewarm water and start mixing to form a dough. Knead, adding more flour until dough is soft, but not sticky.
• Cut into 9 sections and roll into balls. Let stand a few minutes. Take EACH ball and roll out until the size of a pie plate about 9 inches.
• Make into piles of three, brushing each circle with melted butter.
• You will have three piles with 3 circles in each pile brushed with melted butter except for the top circle.
• Take one circle and roll out on table. Stretch it as much as you can. The edge of the circle should be thin as the rest of the circle. Brush with melted butter.
• Take 1/3 of your prepared filling and spread along bottom edge of your circle and spread along one side. Roll up, cut in half lengthwise, seal each end with your fingers and place on a buttered baking pan. Repeat with the remaining circles. This will make 6 strips of pastry. Brush strips with butter. Let rise for about 1/2 hour and bake in a preheated oven for 350°F for about 1/2 hour until done.
• Traditioal Macedonian Recipes Ladies 'Auxiliary' " Mara Buneva".