Bourekia

Bourekia

Cypriot sweet cheese pastry, makes 25

Ingredients

Makes 25

Dough
plain flour      350g
vegetable oil    50ml
warm water       125ml
salt             5g

Filling
anari            250g
caster sugar     50g
ground cinnamon  3g
rose water       2ml

To finish
vegetable oil    for frying
icing sugar      to dust

Anari is a fresh Cypriot whey cheese, similar to ricotta. Ricotta is a good substitute but has a wetter texture.
Deep-fried, not baked. Serve warm, dusted with icing sugar.

Recipe

1. Sieve the flour and salt into a bowl. Add the oil and rub together until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the warm water and knead for 10 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.

Stand mixer: dough hook, speed 2. Mix on low until it comes together, then speed 2 for 5-6 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky.

2. Mash the anari with a fork. Mix in the sugar, cinnamon and rose water until smooth.

Stand mixer: paddle attachment, speed 1. Beat the anari alone for a minute to break it up, then add the sugar, cinnamon and rose water and mix until smooth.

3. Roll the dough to 2-3mm thickness. Cut into crescents, circles or squares. Place a teaspoon of filling on each piece and seal the edges firmly.

4. Fill a small deep saucepan with 5cm of vegetable oil and heat until a piece of dough sizzles immediately when added. Fry in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Drain on kitchen paper and dust generously with icing sugar while still warm.