Virginias Greek Tyropita Recipes

VIRGINIA'S GREEK TYROPITA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Combine cheeses, eggs,and season to taste with about 1 tsp of pepper, mixing well to combine.
• Lightly butter a large jelly roll pan or rectangular pan with low sides (about 11" x 14") and place a sheet or two of phyllo pastry to cover the pan.
• Brush lightly again with butter, then repeat until you have 10 layers (go easy on the butter).
• Spread filling evenly in pan.
• Top with another 10 layers of phyllo, tucking in and folding the corners, buttering each layer as before.
• Using a clean spray bottle filled with some cold water, gently mist the entire surface (this will produce a crispy top layer).
• Cut into 24 squares, then pop into the preheated oven and bake about 1 hour.

GREEK CHEESE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
• Mix feta cheese and eggs together in a bowl for the filling; set aside.
• Lay out 1 sheet of phyllo on a work surface and brush liberally with olive oil. Top with another sheet and brush with oil. Repeat for a total of 4 sheets, but do not brush the top of the fourth sheet. Transfer the stack of oiled sheets to one of the greased cake pans. Drape over the bottom of the pan, trying not to be too perfect about it; you want some folds and wrinkles in the phyllo.
• Spread 1/2 of the filling over the phyllo in an even layer. Fold the overhanging phyllo over the filling, again letting natural folds and wrinkles occur. Loosely lay 1 sheet of phyllo over the top, brush with oil, and use the oiled brush to pat down the sides all around the circumference of the cake pan.
• Repeat with remaining phyllo, oil, and filling to assemble the second pie.
• Bake the cheese pies in the preheated oven until the tops are a deep golden brown, 45 to 60 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.