cheese pie

Cottage Cheese Pasca - a Traditional Easter Delight

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 45-50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Cottage cheese pasca is an emblematic dessert for Easter celebrations, associated with joy and family traditions. This recipe combines the delicate flavors of cheese with a soft and fluffy dough, resulting in a dish that brings together love and memories.

Ingredients

For the dough:

- 1 kg of flour
- 300 g sugar
- 1 1/2 l milk
- 3 tablespoons of lard (or butter)
- 6 eggs + 1 egg for glazing
- 50 g yeast
- 200 g Delma margarine (or butter)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- Grated zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Butter for greasing the pan
- 100 g raisins (optional)

For the cheese mixture:

- 400 g cottage cheese
- 6 eggs
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 100 g raisins (optional)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- Rum essence (to taste)
- Poppy seeds for decoration (optional)

Preparing the dough

1. Activating the yeast: Start by dissolving the yeast in 250 ml of warm milk, adding a tablespoon of sugar and two tablespoons of flour. Let it rise for 15-20 minutes until it becomes frothy.

2. Mixing dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift the flour together with salt and vanilla sugar. This step will ensure a fine texture for the dough.

3. Combining ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs with the remaining milk and lard (or melted butter), then add the activated yeast mixture. Combine all these ingredients with the flour, mixing until you obtain an elastic dough. If necessary, you can add a little oil to improve the consistency.

4. Kneading: Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place it in a bowl greased with a little oil, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in volume.

Preparing the cheese mixture

1. Mixing the cheese: In a separate bowl, mash the cottage cheese with a fork. Add the eggs, sugar, rum essence, flour, and raisins. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.

2. Checking the consistency: If the mixture seems too dry, you can add a little milk to improve it.

Assembling the pasca

1. Preparing the pan: Grease a baking tray with butter to prevent the dough from sticking.

2. Dividing the dough: Once the dough has risen, divide it into 2-3 pieces, depending on the desired size of the pasca. Roll out each piece with a rolling pin on a floured surface until you obtain a thin sheet.

3. Forming the pasca: Place each sheet of dough in the prepared pan, leaving the edges free. Add the cheese mixture in the middle, then fold the edges of the dough over the cheese, forming a kind of lid.

4. Glazing with egg: Beat the remaining egg and brush it over the pasca to achieve a golden crust when baking. If desired, you can decorate with raisins and poppy seeds for a rustic and attractive appearance.

Baking

1. Preheating the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C.

2. Baking the pasca: Place the tray in the oven and bake the pasca for 45-50 minutes, or until it is golden and fluffy. You can check if it is baked by inserting a toothpick in the middle; it should come out clean.

3. Cooling: Once baked, remove the pasca from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving

Cottage cheese pasca is served with great joy, alongside loved ones, and is perfect to be enjoyed with a glass of white wine or a fragrant tea. A slice of fresh, still warm pasca will work wonders to bring the holiday spirit into the family.

Useful tips

- Enhancing the flavor: You can experiment with flavors by adding orange or lemon zest to the cheese mixture, or even chopped nuts for added texture.
- Gluten-free version: For a gluten-free version, you can replace the flour with a gluten-free alternative, but make sure the yeast is also gluten-free.
- Raisins: If you don't like raisins, you can replace them with dried cranberries or completely omit the dried fruit.

Nutritional benefits

Cottage cheese pasca is rich in protein due to the cheese and eggs, providing a significant nutritional intake. It also contains carbohydrates from the flour, being a source of energy. However, it is best to consume it in moderation, considering the amount of sugar and fats.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use another type of cheese?
Yes, you can use goat cheese or ricotta cheese, but the final taste will change.

2. How can I store the pasca after baking?
It stores well in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, for up to a week.

3. Can I freeze the pasca?
Yes, you can freeze the pasca cut into slices. Make sure to package it well to prevent excessive freezing.

Personal story

I fondly remember Easter from my childhood when the whole family would gather to prepare the pasca. The house smelled of cheese and vanilla, and each family member had their role. This recipe is not just about food, but about family bonds and the memories we create together.

In conclusion, cottage cheese pasca is more than just a dessert; it is a tradition, a symbol of reunion and shared love. I invite you to prepare it with love and enjoy it in the company of your loved ones!

 Ingredients: for the dough we need: 1 kg of flour, 300 g of sugar, 1 1/2 milk, 3 tablespoons of lard, 6 eggs + 1 egg for brushing on top, 50 g of yeast, 200 g of Delma margarine, 2 tablespoons of oil, vanilla sugar, grated lemon and orange peel, 1 teaspoon of salt, butter for greasing the pan, raisins. for the cheese filling we need: 400g of cheese, 6 eggs, 6 tablespoons of sugar, raisins, rum essence, 2 tablespoons of flour, poppy seeds.

 Tags:  cheese pasca easter recipes