Polenta with cheese pies

Delicious Recipe for Poale-n Băier and Cheese Pies

Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 30-40 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Number of servings: 12-15 servings

When I think of the days spent at my grandmother's house, the smell of warm pies and poale-n băier instantly invades my memories. This recipe is not just a simple recipe, but a journey through time, wrapped in traditions and joyful moments spent with loved ones. I invite you to discover how to prepare these delights that bring a touch of nostalgia in every bite.

Ingredients for dough:
- 1.5 kg of white flour
- 50 g of fresh yeast (or 2 packets of dry yeast)
- 250 ml of sparkling water
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 250 g of sugar
- Grated lemon and orange peel (to taste)
- 25 ml of oil

Ingredients for filling:
- 1 kg of cottage cheese
- Sugar (to taste)
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons of flour (to thicken the filling)
- Vanilla essence (optional, for a more intense flavor)
- Sour cream (for brushing the poale-n băier)

Dough preparation:

1. Preparing the base: In a large bowl, sift the flour and create a well in the center. This will be where we add the wet ingredients.

2. Activating the yeast: In a small pot, add some of the sparkling water, warm it slightly, and dissolve the yeast in it. Let it sit for a few minutes until it becomes frothy.

3. Mixing the ingredients: In the well of the flour, add the eggs, the rest of the sparkling water, salt, sugar, and the grated lemon and orange peel. Start mixing with a whisk until the ingredients combine.

4. Kneading: Add the activated yeast and continue kneading. If the dough becomes too sticky, gradually add more flour. Knead for about 30 minutes until it becomes elastic and no longer sticks to your hands.

5. Adding the oil: When the dough is smooth, add the oil in small portions and continue kneading. This step is essential for obtaining a fluffy dough.

6. Fermentation: Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in volume (about 1 hour).

Filling preparation:

1. Mixing the cheese: In another bowl, combine the cottage cheese with sugar (to taste), the eggs, vanilla essence, and the 2 tablespoons of flour. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.

Forming the poale-n băier:

1. Shaping the dough: After the dough has risen, knead it again for a few minutes, then divide it into small balls.

2. Rolling out the dough: Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a round sheet. Add the cheese filling in the center of the sheet and fold the corners towards the center, forming a well-sealed pouch.

3. Rising in the tray: Place the poale-n băier in a greased tray and let them rise again for 15 minutes.

4. Brushing: Beat an egg and brush each poală-n băier to give them a beautiful golden color.

5. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C and bake the poale-n băier for 25-30 minutes until they turn golden.

Preparation of cheese pies:

1. Dividing the dough: Use the remaining dough to form pies. Roll out a thin sheet and add the cheese filling, sprinkling sugar and sour cream on top.

2. Rolling: Roll the pie from one side to the other, then cut into pieces. Place them in a tray and let them rise a bit.

3. Brushing: Brush the pies with beaten egg before baking.

4. Baking: Bake at the same temperature (180°C) for 30-40 minutes until they turn golden.

Serving:
After taking them out of the oven, let them cool slightly, then brush the poale-n băier with sour cream for an even more delicious taste. These delights can be served warm or at room temperature, making them ideal for a snack or a delicious dessert.

Tips and variations:
- If you want a more intense flavor, you can add raisins to the cheese filling.
- For an extra aroma, try replacing sugar with honey in the filling.
- Poale-n băier can be enjoyed with a cup of yogurt or with aromatic tea, perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

Nutritional benefits:
These dishes are rich in protein due to the cottage cheese and eggs, providing a good supply of calcium and vitamins. Whole flour, if used, will add fiber, aiding in healthy digestion.

Frequently asked questions:
- *Can I use other types of cheese?* Yes, you can experiment with feta or mozzarella, but make sure to adjust the amount of sugar and other ingredients to achieve a balanced taste.
- *How can I store poale-n băier and pies?* Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. For long-term storage, you can freeze them.

Conclusion:
Poale-n băier and cheese pies are more than just culinary dishes; they are a part of our heritage, a symbol of unity and shared joy. So, do not hesitate to prepare them for family and friends, turning every meal into a celebration of flavors! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: DOUGH 1 kg half white flour a cube half of yeast. or 50 g mineral water 2 eggs lemon and orange zest a teaspoon half of salt sugar 250 g oil 25 g FILLING cottage cheese 1 kg sugar to taste = according to preference or as sweet as you like vanilla essence 3 eggs I added 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken it a bit One egg for greasing the edges

 Tags:  cheese pastries cheese pies