Traditional Bulgarian Cheese Pie (Banitsa)

The guests are about to come, but nothing seems to be ready. Does this sound familiar? If so, then you know by now that getting sick out of a sudden or ordering in Chinese are no good exit strategies. Instead, I suggest you a better alternative: a quick and easy recipe of a traditional Bulgarian cheese pie, or the so called banitsa. All you need is a couple of ingredients and about an hour to whisk the most delicious cheese pie your guests have ever tasted. I bet they will ask for an extra portion.

Prep time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 40 minutes

• 1 packet filo pastry
• 300 gr cheese (feta)
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 tea cup filled with milk
• 1/3 tea cup filled with yogurt
• 1/2 Tbsp bicarbonate
• oil or melted butter to grease the pastry

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees C. Lightly grease your favorite (round) tray with oil or melted butter.

Place yogurt and bicarbonate in a cup, mix well and set aside for a couple of minutes.

Crumble the feta with the help of a fork. Add the eggs, the milk and the yogurt-bicarbonate mixture and mix well until smooth.

Spread the filo pastry sheets. Sprinkle a bit of oil on the top sheet, and then place a bit of the mixture on it as well.

Roll the filo sheet and place it in the center of your tray.

Repeat for each of the other filo sheets. The rolled sheets are placed outwards from the center in a circle until the whole tray is filled. If some of the mixture is left, spread it evenly on top of the banitsa.

Bake for approximately 40 minutes until gold. Once ready, take the banitsa out of the oven, cover it with a dry towel and let it “rest” for a while before consuming.

Serve with a smile, and enjoy every bite. Bon appetit!