Bulgarian Savory Cheese Pie Recipe

Name: Bulgarian Savory Cheese Pie
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 cups crumbled Bulgarian feta cheese , well-drained; 6 tablespoons plain yogurt; 2 large eggs, beaten; 16 sheets filo dough, thawed; 8 ounces (1 cup) unsalted butter, melted; Sea salt, chopped green onions, for optional garnish

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Total: 35 mins

Servings: 8 servings

Yield: 16 banitzi

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Bulgarian cheese banitza (banitsa) appetizers are similar to Serbian bureks and Greek cheese pies. They are traditionally served warm as a first course or in a "meze" (appetizer) spread, but they're also a popular vegetarian main course, snack, and street food. Also, banitzi can be a sweet dessert with apple and pumpkin among the popular fillings. This particular recipe is a take on a savory version.

2 cups crumbled Bulgarian feta cheese, well-drained
6 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 large eggs, beaten
16 sheets phyllo dough, thawed
8 ounces (1 cup) unsalted butter, melted
Sea salt, chopped green onions, for optional garnish

Heat oven to 400F.
In a large bowl, combine cheese, yogurt, and eggs until smooth.
Fold one sheet of filo dough in half, so it measures 12 inches by 8 inches. Brush lightly with melted butter.
Portion out a 1/2-inch strip of filling along either the 12-inch edge if you want an "S"-shaped scroll, or along the 8-inch edge for a cigar-shaped roll and 1/4 inch away from the edges. Fold up bottom edge first, then sides and then roll away from yourself until you have a tight cylinder. Brush lightly with more melted butter.
Repeat with remaining 15 sheets of filo dough. Shape long cylinders into "S" shapes or leave short cylinders as is and place them on a parchment-lined pan. Sprinkle with sea salt and chopped green onions, if desired.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
2376	Calories
149g	Fat
238g	Carbs
22g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories	2376
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 149g	191%
Saturated Fat 64g	322%
Cholesterol 141mg	47%
Sodium 2263mg	98%
Total Carbohydrate 238g	87%
Dietary Fiber 8g	30%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 22g
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 264mg	20%
Iron 5mg	29%
Potassium 409mg	9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.