Stuffed Phyllo Baked Pastry Pouches Recipes

STUFFED PHYLLO PASTRIES

Steps:

• To make filling, press spinach in fine strainer to remove all excess moisture; combine with cheeses, eggs, nutmeg and pepper. Set aside. , To assemble pastries, have the following ready: melted butter, pastry brush, knife, a clean, slightly damp towel, the filling, baking sheet and large work surface. Open box of dough; carefully unfold sheets. Pull off 2 sheets; place together on work surface and brush lightly with butter. Pull off another sheet. Place directly over others; brush again with butter. Repeat until you have layered 5 sheets. Cover unused dough with damp towel. , Cut prepared layers in half vertically, then cut halves into 6 strips vertically. Place 1-1/2 teaspoons of filling at the top of each strip. Fold each strip into triangles (as you would fold a flag), starting at bottom near filling. Repeat with additional layers of phyllo dough until the filling is gone. Place pastries on ungreased baking sheet; brush with butter. , Bake at 400° until golden brown, about 10-15 minutes. (Uncooked pastries can be frozen for later use. Frozen pastries can go directly into oven, but baking time must be increased.)

STUFFED PHYLLO BAKED PASTRY POUCHES

Steps:

• 1. Brush each phyllo sheet generously with butter and stack one on top of the other on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, cut the sheets in half, crosswise, to make a total of 24 pieces. Stack once again, and cover with a damp (not wet) clean cotton kitchen towel.2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a mini-muffin pan or a baking sheet. Working with each piece separately, fold in half and then in half again to make an approximately 6-by4-inch rectangle. Place about 1 tablespoon of the filling in the center, then pick up the phyllo by the four corners and pinch them together just above the filling to seal, making a little pouch. Alternately, tie each one lightly with chives, scallion greens, or thin strips of carrots, or any other greens or vegetables. Repeat with all the pieces.3. Brush all the pouches with the butter, and place each in one cup of the muffin pan or all of them on a baking sheet and bake until crispy and golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer to cooling racks. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

PHYLLO TRIANGLES STUFFED WITH FRESH CHEESE (BRIOUATS BIL JBEN)

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, blend the cheese, egg, and cilantro with a fork.
• On a clean, flat work surface, unroll the phyllo sheets. Cut into strips about 3 in/7.5 cm wide and at least 9 in/23 cm long. Arrange a couple of the strips facing away from you; cover the remaining strips with plastic wrap to keep them from drying out. Lightly brush the strips with olive oil.
• Place 1 Tbsp of the cheese filling on the end of each strip closest to you. Fold over to form a triangle, then fold again to form another triangle, and so on to the end. Brush the end of the triangle with egg yolk and fold the loose end over the brushed yolk. Place the triangles on a plate without letting them touch. Repeat with the remaining phyllo strips and cheese filling.
• Have ready 6 dessert plates. Place a generous dollop of honey in the middle of each.
• In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat at least 1/2 in/1.25 cm of oil until the surface shimmers. Reduce the heat to medium. Working in small batches, gently place the phyllo triangles in the oil and fry, turning once, until firm and golden brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Place 2 or 3 rolls on each plate, drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve hot.