Sweet Cretan Cheese Pastries

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1 kg strong flour
• 100 ml extra virgin olive oil
• 20 g salt
• 20 ml raki or tsipouro (without anise)
• 30 ml lemon juice
• 500-550 ml water

For the Filling:

• 700 g sweet myzithra cheese (fresh anthotyro)
• 1 egg
• 100 g sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 5 mint leaves, finely chopped (optional)

Method

1. In a large bowl, combine all liquid ingredients for the dough.
2. Add the salt and gradually incorporate the flour, kneading well until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
3. Cover with a towel and allow the dough to rest for 1 hour.
4. In another bowl, crumble the myzithra cheese with a fork. Add the sugar, cinnamon, egg, and optionally the mint. Mix thoroughly until fully combined.
5. Divide the dough into four pieces. Using a thin rolling pin, roll each piece into a very thin sheet. Traditionally, the dough is stretched gently from different sides to create a delicate round shape (a pasta machine may also be used).
6. Place spoonfuls of filling at intervals over one half of the dough sheet.
7. Fold the other half over the filling and cut into small pastries using a round cutter or a glass. You may shape them as desired.
8. Heat plenty of olive oil in a frying pan and fry the pastries on both sides until golden and crisp.
9. Transfer onto absorbent paper to drain.
10. Serve optionally with honey, or sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.

 A sweet taste of Cretan tradition, prepared with love and shared with joy.