Parisian with salty cheese

Savory Cheese Pastries - A Delicious Recipe for Special Moments

Welcome to the flavorful world of savory cheese pastries! These fluffy, golden delights are perfect for any occasion, from a brunch with friends to a more special dinner. Pastries bring a smile to anyone's face and are incredibly versatile, allowing for a variety of fillings. In this recipe, we focus on a savory filling that combines cheese with a touch of cream and, optionally, some cured meats.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Rising Time: 3 hours
Baking Time: 40 minutes
Total: 4 hours
Servings: 8 pastries

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 500 g flour
- 15 g fresh yeast
- 50 g butter (softened and at room temperature)
- 1 egg
- 230 ml lukewarm milk
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- a few tablespoons of olive oil (for greasing)
- sesame seeds (for decoration)
- caraway seeds (optional, for decoration)

For the filling:
- 500 g savory cheese (sheep cheese + cheese)
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons cream
- cured meats (optional, mixed: sausages, salami, smoked pancetta)

Nutritional Information

These savory cheese pastries are a good source of protein thanks to the cheese and egg, while olive oil adds healthy fats. Whole flour can be a great choice for higher fiber content. Depending on the filling, you can adjust the caloric content, for example, by choosing leaner cured meats or omitting them altogether.

Preparation Steps

1. Preparing the yeast:
In a small bowl, mix fresh yeast with one teaspoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of lukewarm milk, and one tablespoon of flour. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for 15-20 minutes or until foamy.

2. Preparing the dough:
In a large bowl, sift the flour and add the risen yeast mixture. Add the egg, salt, softened butter, and the remaining lukewarm milk. Knead the dough well for about 10 minutes, until it becomes soft and smooth. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little flour, but be careful not to overdo it.

3. Rising the dough:
Place the dough in a bowl greased with olive oil, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 3 hours or until it doubles in size.

4. Preparing the filling:
In a bowl, mix the savory cheese with the egg, cream, and, if desired, a bit of caraway for a unique flavor. Feel free to get creative and add cured meats if you want a richer filling.

5. Shaping the pastries:
Once the dough has risen, divide it into 8 equal parts. Roll each piece out into a rectangular shape. On half of the dough, cut strips with a knife or a pastry cutter. On the smooth side of the dough, sprinkle the cheese filling.

6. Rolling the pastries:
Roll the dough from the filled side towards the side with the cut strips, making sure the edges are well sealed to prevent the filling from leaking.

7. Rising the pastries:
Place each pastry on a greased and floured baking tray, and let them rise for about 1 hour.

8. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Sprinkle each pastry with grated cheese, sesame seeds, and a little caraway. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden and beautifully browned.

Serving Suggestions

These pastries are excellent warm, but they are also tasty at room temperature. You can serve them alongside a fresh green salad or with a yogurt dip for a refreshing contrast. A glass of white wine or a craft beer can perfectly complement the meal.

Possible Variations

If you want to experiment, you can use other types of cheese, such as goat cheese or mozzarella. Replace the cured meats with sautéed vegetables (such as spinach or mushrooms) for a vegetarian option. You can even add olives or red peppers for a more intense flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast?
Yes, you can use dry yeast. Replace 15 g of fresh yeast with about 5 g of dry yeast.

2. How can I tell if the dough is well risen?
The dough should be elastic and double in volume. You can do the “finger test” – if you poke a finger into the dough and it leaves an impression, the dough is ready.

3. What other fillings can I use?
You have a whole universe of fillings at your disposal! You can try combinations with spinach and ricotta, mushrooms, or even sweet fillings like chocolate or jam for a dessert version.

4. What is the secret to fluffy pastries?
Proper kneading and allowing the dough to rise sufficiently are essential for achieving airy and fluffy pastries.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that's left is to get started! I wish you happy cooking and hope you enjoy every bite of these delicious savory cheese pastries!

 Ingredients: dough: 500 g flour 15 g fresh yeast 50 g butter 1 egg 230 ml milk 2 tsp salt 1 tsp sugar a few tbsp olive oil sesame seeds filling: 500 g salty cheese (sheep cheese + cheese) 1 egg 3 tbsp sour cream mixed cold cuts: sausages, salami, and smoked pancetta

 Tags:  parisian