CRETAN KALITSOUNIA (SWEET CHEESE PASTRIES)

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Cretan Kalitsounia (Sweet Cheese Pastries) image

These delectable cheese pastries are served throughout Crete. The best, in my opinion, are served in sunny villages scattered throughout the White Mountain Range on the drive from Chania to Sfakia. There, they are served with a drizzle of the local thyme honey. In more urban centers, many just sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Either way, they are addictive and delicious.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     Cheesecake

Time 38m

Yield 20 pastries (approximately)

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 cups flour
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
1 lb manouri cheese (ricotta will do in a pinch) or 1 lb fresh mizithra cheese (ricotta will do in a pinch)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest, finely grated
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar
olive oil (for frying) or clarified butter (for frying)
greek thyme honey or cinnamon sugar

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.

Said Noor
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I followed the recipe exactly, but my kalitsounia didn't look like the ones in the pictures. I'm not sure what went wrong.


Melanie Holland
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These were really bland. I think I needed to add more spices.


Mr Jamshid Ali
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I'm not sure what I did wrong, but my kalitsounia turned out dry. I think I might have overcooked them.


henry ochiobi
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I had some trouble finding phyllo pastry, but I was able to find it at a specialty grocery store.


Zahanat Hussain
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These were a bit too sweet for my taste, but my kids loved them.


Sheer Ali
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I'm not a fan of anise, so I omitted it from the recipe. The kalitsounia were still delicious.


Artur Ozimek
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I made these for my Greek family and they were a hit! They said they were the best kalitsounia they've ever had.


Esther Mwangi
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These were a bit more time-consuming to make than I expected, but they were worth it. They were absolutely delicious.


md.habibur khan
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I'm not a huge fan of cheese, but these kalitsounia were still really good. The phyllo pastry was flaky and crispy, and the filling was sweet and flavorful.


Lovelyne Caruso
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The recipe was clear and easy to follow, and the results were delicious.


Imtiaz Mughal
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These were so easy to make, and they turned out beautifully. I will definitely be making them again.


Dana Clinton
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I made these for a party and they were a huge hit! Everyone loved them.


Elizabeth Walker
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Wow, these kalitsounia were incredible! The crispy phyllo pastry and the sweet, creamy cheese filling were a perfect combination.