Greek Cheese Pies (Tiropitakia) with Balsamic Vinegar

This is a recipe for yet another type of small cheese pie (tiropitakia) - this time with balsamic vinegar. We think you'll find these a delicious addition to any meal or as a snack on its own!

Ingredients

For the Dough

½ kg all-purpose flour

200g butter

1 tsp salt

Water – enough to make a pliable dough

For the Filling

250g Graviera cheese (alternatively - yellow cheese that melts, such as Edam or Gouda)

For the finish

100ml balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp sesame seeds

300ml sunflower oil for deep frying

Preparation

Make a dough with the flour, salt and enough water to make a pliable dough.

Divide into 2, wrap each dough ball in cling film and set aside for 1 hour.

Melt the butter and when it’s cool, leave in the fridge for approx. 15 min.

After this time, the butter will have separated into 2 layers – solid on top and liquid underneath. Remove the top layer of butter and put in a small pan. Discard the lower liquid layer.

On a floured surface roll out one of the dough balls into a thin rectangular shape.

Melt the butter in the pan and brush over the dough.

Fold the dough once and brush with melted butter.

Fold again and brush.

Fold the dough a third time and brush with the melted butter.

Cover in cling film and set aside while you repeat the same process with the other dough ball.

Take the first dough and roll out once again into a thin rectangular shape.

Cut into pieces 10cm x 15cm.

Slice the cheese into pieces 2cm x 8cm and about 1cm thick.

Place a slice of cheese into one of the dough slices lengthwise and roll it up.

The two ends won’t have cheese in them – seal them shut with a fork (see photo at top).

Set aside on a floured surface and repeat the process with the remainder of the pieces from the first dough ball. Then repeat with the second dough ball.

Heat the oil well in a deep frying pan and fry the cheese pies until they’re golden brown (approx. 3-4 min). Just do a few at a time, otherwise the oil will cool.

Place them on kitchen paper to absorb the oil.

When you have fried all the pies, melt the honey in the balsamic vinegar and with a spoon sprinkle over all the pies.

Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top.


If you've tried this recipe please rate it!

 Eat and Enjoy!