Greek Yogurt Bourekakia Recipes

GREEK YOGURT BOUREKAKIA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into large bowl. Add butter, yogurt and 2 eggs and stir to blend. Knead with hands in bowl until smooth soft dough forms. Transfer dough to floured surface. Roll out to 12-inch square, about 1/2 inch thick. Cut square into 13 strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 4 equal strips.
• Place strips on large baking sheet. Brush tops with yolks. Mix cheese and parsley in bowl. Sprinkle over strips. Bake until golden, about 30 minutes. Serve warm.

BOUREKAKIA (BAKLAVA 'CIGARS')

Steps:

• For syrup: Cook all ingredients in saucepan over low heat, swirling pan occasionally, until sugar dissolves, then boil 15 minutes.
• Cool completely; strain.
• For filling: Combine walnuts, cinnamon and cloves.
• Blend in 1 cup syrup and whites (mixture should not be too stiff; add up to ¼ cup additional syrup, if necessary.).
• To assemble: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cut phyllo into 5 x 8 inch strips.
• Cover with plastic wrap and a damp towel until ready to use.
• Take a strip and brush it lightly with melted butter.
• Spread 1 heaping teaspoon of filling along narrow edge.
• Fold in sides ½ inch toward center; brush sides lightly with butter; roll up tightly.
• Repeat with remaining strips.
• Arrange seam side down on baking sheet.
• Brush with remaining butter.
• (They can be frozen at this point � increase baking time to 30-35 minutes if baking them frozen).
• Bake until golden and crisp, 20-25 minutes.
• Cool completely.
• Dust lightly with powdered sugar.

BOUREKAKIA (GREEK STYLE CHEESE-FILLED DIAMONDS)

Steps:

• Beat together cheeses, egg yolks, and parsley until well blended and creamy.
• Lay out 3 sheets of phyllo (keeping remaining phyllo covered with plastic wrap), and lightly brush one sheet with butter using a wide pastry brush.
• Lay the second sheet on top of the first and brush with butter, and repeat with the third on top of the second.
• Spoon a 1/2 inch wide ribbon of cheese mixture along one of the long sides of the dough, and starting from that side, roll up jelly roll style, tucking in the ends as you go to encase the filling.
• Place seam side down on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Repeat, making 7 more rolls and placing them about an inch apart.
• Bake uncovered at 375°F for 15 minutes or until puffed and lightly browned.
• Let cool 15 minutes; then slice through each roll on the diagonal about 2 1/4 inches apart, making diamond shaped pieces.
• Serve immediately.