Tiropita, Cheese Cake

Our kitchen program is back, ready to make you fancy one of the most common Greek specialty: Tiropita!
If you are in Greece you will not need much time to notice how much Greeks love this dish, you can find it in any snack bar or cafe', it is very tasty and gives you lots of energy!
But what is it? Will you ask now.

Well. Tiropita, as the name says, is a cheese Pie, the cheese (usually different types to give extra flavour to the pie), is layered in phyllo pastry, brushed with melted butter or olive oil and baked. The result is a golden, warm and crispy deliciuos meal, suitable for any time of the day! So, are you tempted to try it? Let's cook together! 

Ingredients
8-10 sheets of phyllo pastry
200g feta cheese
3/4 of a cup milk cream
100g grated Parmesan
100g grated Gouda cheese or Emedal cheese
100g ricotta cheese
2 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons fresh mint (optional)
olive oil or melted butter
sesame seeds (optional)
freshly ground pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the phyllo dough in the fridge from the day before.
2. Prepare the filling for the tiropita. Use a fork to crumble the feta cheese into a large bowl and add the beaten eggs along with the rest of the grated cheese and milk cream. Chop some fresh mint and add to the mixture. Season with freshly ground pepper and blend well with a spoon. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
3. For this tiropita recipe you will need a large baking tray, approx. 20*30 cm. Using a pastry brush, butter the bottom and sides of the tray. Place one sheet of phyllo at the bottom of the pan and with a cooking brush sprinkle some olive oil or melted butter. Repeat the procedure, adding 4-5 more sheets of phyllo dough. You will use 5-6 phyllo sheets for the bottom of the tiropita.
4. Pour in the feta cheese mixture and smooth with a spatula. Top the tiropita with 4-5 more phyllo sheets, making sure to oil or butter each one, before adding the other; roll in the edges. Brush the top with oil or butter, sprinkle with water and sesame seeds.
5. Bake the tiropita in a preheated oven at 180C for 45-50 minutes, until the phyllo is crisp and golden. Let it cool down for a while before serving.
And here you go! Our delicious Tiropita is ready!!
Enjoy!