Melitinia Sweet Cheese Pastries Recipes

MELITINIA (SWEET CHEESE PASTRIES)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Place cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl and mix well so that all the ingredients are blended.
• Add 1 tbsp of the flour into the mixture and combine.
• To make the pastry, place remaining flour in another large bowl and add olive oil.
• Begin to make dough by kneading the mixture, gradually adding the water and continuing to knead the mixture into a soft dough (add more water if necessary).
• Roll out pastry on lightly floured board as thinly as possible.
• Cut 3 1/2 inch circles in pastry with wine glass or pastry cutter.
• Pinch sides upward to make octagonal cases.
• Place pastries on an oiled baking sheet and spoon a tablespoon of filling into each pastry case.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

CRETAN KALITSOUNIA (SWEET CHEESE PASTRIES)

Steps:

• Prepare a stiff dough with the flour, olive oil, salt and water.
• Leave to rest, covered, for an hour.
• Crumble cheese.
• Mix well with egg, zest, cinnamon and sugar.
• Separate dough in two.
• Take half of dough and roll out 1/8 inch thick on a lightly-floured surface.
• Using a water glass, cut into small rounds 3 inches in diameter.
• Place 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture on each round of dough, moisten edges with a little water, fold over and seal well, pressing the edges together with a fork.
• Repeat with remaining dough and cheese filling.
• Heat enough olive oil or clarified butter to come up about 3/4 inch of pan.
• Fry pastries until golden brown.
• Drizzle with honey or sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar and serve hot.