Cheese dumplings

Cheese Pillows: The Ideal Delight for Breakfast

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Cheese pillows are an excellent choice for a quick and tasty breakfast, perfect alongside a glass of cold milk. These puff pastry delights, filled with cheese, telemea (a type of Romanian cheese), and dill, are easy to prepare and will bring a smile to anyone's face. Follow the steps below for a perfect result!

Necessary ingredients:
- 1 package of puff pastry (approximately 275 g)
- 400 g of cottage cheese (preferably fresh)
- 100 g of telemea (choose a well-aged one for an intense flavor)
- 1 bunch of fresh dill (you can also use other herbs like parsley for variety)
- 1 egg (for brushing)
- 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds (optional, for extra crunch)

Step 1: Preparing the filling
Start by grating the telemea on a fine grater. This step will help better homogenize the filling. Wash the dill well and chop it finely. In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese with the grated telemea and chopped dill. Mix the ingredients well until you obtain a uniform composition. You can also add a pinch of salt, but be careful as the telemea may already be salty.

Step 2: Preparing the puff pastry
Unroll the package of puff pastry and lay it out on a clean surface. Use a knife or cutter to cut the pastry into large squares, approximately 10 cm. Choose the desired size, but make sure they are large enough to enclose the filling.

Step 3: Forming the pillows
Each square of pastry should be scored on one side (about 2-3 cuts) to allow steam to escape during baking. Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each square. Lift the scored side of the pastry and cover the filling, gently pressing the edges to seal. It is important to ensure that the filling does not leak during baking.

Step 4: Baking
Preheat the oven to 200°C (high heat). Line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place the pillows on the tray, leaving a little space between them. Beat the egg and, using a brush, glaze each pillow with the beaten egg. This will give them a golden color and a crispy texture. Sprinkle the poppy seeds on top for an attractive appearance and a special taste.

Step 5: Baking
Put the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until they turn golden and crispy. You will smell the delicious aroma of cheese and dill wafting throughout the kitchen.

Serving:
After the pillows are baked, let them cool for a few minutes. You can serve them warm, as they are, or alongside a fresh salad for a healthy breakfast. You can also experiment with different fillings, such as sautéed mushrooms or spinach, to diversify the recipe.

These cheese pillows are easy to make and will surely become a favorite in your family. Enjoy!