Kalitsounia
Cretan Kalitsounia
Kalitsounia (aka Cretan Cheese – Cinnamon Pastries) is one of the most featured Easter dishes in Crete and especially in Chania.
Directions
- For the filling, combine the cheeses, lightly beaten egg yolks, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl. The mixture should be thick enough to mound, but not stiff; add 1 tablespoon milk, if necessary. Set aside while you make the dough.
- Sift the flour and salt into a bowl, then cut in the butter and mix by rubbing between your fingers.
- Mix in the vanilla, egg whites, and enough milk to make a soft dough.
- Knead until smooth and elastic, then break off small pieces and roll as thin of a dime. (The dough will be elastic and can be rolled easily.)
- Cut into circles 4-inches in diameter (teacup size), then on each circle place a teaspoon of the cheese filling.
- Wet the circle edge with water or milk and fold over to form a half-moon, then seal with the tines of a fork or pastry wheel.
- Arrange the Kaltsounia on buttered cookie sheets and bake in a moderate oven (350 F) for 25 minutes, or until the pastry puffs up and turns a light chestnut color.
- Remove from the oven, and place on racks, and dust with confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon.
- Serve hot or cold.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c Fresh mizithra or ricotta
- 2 c All-purpose flour
- 2 tb Grated hard ricotta
- 1 pn Salt
- 2 Eggs; separated
- 1 ts Vanilla extract
- 1/2 c Granulated sugar
- Confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tb Butter; melted
- 4 tb Milk (or more)
2 Comments