Cretan Small Cheese Pies Kalitsounia Kritis Recipes

CRETAN SMALL CHEESE PIES (KALITSOUNIA KRITIS)

Steps:

• Put the flour in a bowl and blend in some salt and water to form a thick dough.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured board and cut into round shapes with a pastry cutter or drinking glass.
• Place the cheese, egg and finely chopped mint in a bowl and mix together.
• Place a teaspoon of the mixture into the middle of each round shaped pastry.
• Fold half of the pastry over the filling, pressing the open ends of a fork along the folded end of the pie.
• Heat the olive oil over a medium heat and fry the pies until they are a golden colour.
• Place the pies on a serving plate, sprinkle with sugar and serve.

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.