Cheese Fatayer Recipe
Cheese Fatayer is a traditional Middle Eastern or Lebanese pie filled with mozzarella cheese, egg, and feta cheese, baked to golden perfection. Popular for breakfast or snacks, it's enjoyed in Lebanon, Jordan, and other Levantine countries.
Equipment
- 1 Oven For baking the fatayer
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Dough:
- 2 cups of white flour
- ¾ cup of water
- 1.5 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons of yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Ingredients for Cheese Topping:
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup of feta cheese
- 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon of black cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon of salt and black pepper
Instructions
Making the Dough
- First, combine the all-purpose flour along with salt, brown sugar, and olive oil in a large bowl, gently mixing them before setting aside.
- Next, combine warm water with instant yeast in a large cup, then transfer it into the bowl and stir gently. After that, knead the mixture for 5 minutes until the dough becomes soft and fluffy. Cover it with a clean towel and leave it for 1 hour.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, remove it and divide it into 8 pieces by hand. Shape each piece into a ball and cover them again with a clean towel to set them aside.
Making the Cheese Filling
- While waiting for the dough to rise, use your free time to prepare the cheese filling.
- Combine mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, egg, black cumin seeds, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl, stirring gently before setting it aside.
Assembling and Baking
- To assemble, flatten each ball into an oval shape using a rolling pin.
- Next, for the topping, fill 1.5-2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture onto the dough and spread it evenly. Then, fold the dough over the filling on all sides and pinch the ends together to form a boat-shaped pastry.
- Preheat the Oven at 200 C or 390 F. Although this is optional, sprinkle the sides of the dough with black cumin seed.
- Lastly, brush each side of the dough with egg wash before transferring them to the oven. Bake the fatayer for 15 minutes or until it turns light brown, and you're done!
Notes
- If the dough feels sticky, incorporate ¼ cup of flour and knead. Conversely, if it's too dry, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and knead. Also, brush the bowl with oil before placing the dough to prevent sticking as it rises.
- Avoid overfilling the cheese mixture since it may not be able to hold its shape which may break open when baking
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 25.7gProtein: 8.2gFat: 7.3gSaturated Fat: 2.8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 970mgPotassium: 93mgFiber: 1.2gSugar: 2gCalcium: 73mgIron: 2mg
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