Cheese pie with za'atar (Arabic specific)

Cheese and Za'atar Pie: A Flavorful and Comforting Delight

This cheese and za'atar pie is a recipe that combines tradition with the unmistakable flavors of the East. Pies have a long history and are appreciated in many cultures, served both as appetizers and main dishes. In this recipe, the leavened dough perfectly blends with the rich filling of cheese and za'atar, offering an unforgettable culinary experience. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast or as an appetizer at a festive meal, these pies will bring a smile to anyone's face.

Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Number of servings: 12 pies

Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 kg of flour
- 70 ml of olive oil
- 4 teaspoons of dry yeast (or 50 g of fresh yeast)
- 4 teaspoons of sugar
- 3 tablespoons of powdered milk (or 1 cup of warm milk)
- ½ teaspoon of salt

For the filling:
- 90 ml of olive oil
- 300 g of onion (about 4 medium onions)
- 500 g of sheep cheese (or feta cheese)
- 25-50 g of fresh za'atar (about 30 g is ideal)

Preparation
1. Preparing the dough:
- In a small bowl, mix the yeast with 2 teaspoons of sugar and 150-200 ml of warm water. Let the mixture sit for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a large bowl, sift the flour and add the olive oil. Rub the flour with the oil using your fingers until the flour absorbs all the oil.
- Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar, powdered milk, and salt. If you are not using powdered milk, replace it with a cup of warm milk and add warm water to obtain a soft but not too sticky dough.
- Once the yeast has risen, add it to the bowl with the dry ingredients, along with enough water to form an elastic dough. Knead the dough well for 5-7 minutes, then cover it with a damp towel and let it rise for 30 minutes in a warm place.

2. Preparing the filling:
- In a skillet, add the olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion until it becomes transparent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the washed and finely chopped za'atar leaves, mixing well. Let them cook until tender, stirring constantly.
- Once the onion and za'atar mixture has cooled slightly, add the grated cheese and mix all the ingredients well.

3. Assembling the pies:
- After the dough has risen, knead it again for a few minutes, then flatten it with your hand in a bowl.
- Roll out part of the dough on a clean surface to a thickness of about 0.8 cm. Use a glass or a round mold to cut out circles of dough with a diameter of about 8 cm.
- Place a tablespoon of the cheese and za'atar filling in the center of each dough circle. Close the pie by folding the edges and gently pressing to seal the filling.
- Place the pies on a greased baking tray, leaving some space between them to allow for rising.

4. Baking the pies:
- Let the pies rise for 10-15 minutes. Then, preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Bake the pies for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden and crispy.

Serving suggestions
The cheese and za'atar pies are delicious served warm, alongside creamy yogurt or a cup of fragrant tea. If you want to impress your guests, you can make them smaller and serve them on a platter with appetizers. These pies are also excellent cold, so don't hesitate to prepare them a day before the event.

Useful tips
- For a more intense flavor: You can also add some finely chopped black or green olives to the filling.
- Cheese variations: Instead of sheep cheese, you can use feta or ricotta cheese for a different texture.
- Oils: Use extra virgin olive oil for a more intense flavor.

Nutritional benefits
This pie is not only tasty but also rich in nutrients. The cheese provides essential proteins, while za'atar is known for its antioxidant properties. Whole wheat flour, if used, adds fiber, making this pie a healthy choice.

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use fresh yeast instead of dry yeast?
Yes, you can use 50 g of fresh yeast. Make sure to dissolve it well in warm water.

2. How can I store the pies?
They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. They can also be frozen, and to reheat them, you can use the oven or microwave.

3. What drinks pair well with these pies?
Fragrant tea or cold yogurt are excellent options that perfectly complement the flavors of the pies.

Cook with love and enjoy every bite of this delicious pie!

 Ingredients: In this recipe, I will write a lot to be understood, even if it may be boring. For these pastries, a leavened dough and a filling made from onion, za'atar, and sheep's cheese are used. Za'atar is a plant similar to oregano and is widely used in Arab cuisine, whether fresh or dried. In this pastry, it should be fresh; I used frozen za'atar that I bought about a month ago. I found a picture of fresh za'atar on Google and I will post it. The cheese (a type of telemea) is also widely used here; za'atar and telemea can be found in every household. The telemea cheese is placed in a very salty brine, which varies from year to year. In this brine, some black seeds (which are visible and black in my pictures) are added, giving a good flavor to the cheese. These seeds are called qazha in Latin, Nigella sativa. I will post the picture; I found it on Google too. For these pastries, you need: For the dough: - 1 kg of flour - 70 ml of olive oil - 4 teaspoons of dry yeast (fresh yeast can also be used; about 50 grams) - 4 teaspoons of sugar - 3 tablespoons of powdered milk - 1/2 teaspoon of salt (usually, this cheese is very salty) For the filling: - 90 ml of olive oil - about 300 grams of onion (about 4 onions) - 1/2 kg of sheep's telemea - 25-50 g of fresh za'atar (this time, I used about 30 g)