Plăcintă cu Brânză Sărată
Savory Cheese Pie
A traditional Romanian savory pie featuring a flaky crust filled with a rich, tangy mixture of brânză de oi (sheep's cheese), eggs, and sometimes a hint of dill or other herbs. It's often baked until golden brown and can be served as a main course or a hearty snack.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g All-purpose flour
- 160 ml Water(lukewarm)
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Vinegar
- 500 g Soft fresh sheep's cheese (brânză de oi)
- 3 large Eggs
- 1 tbsp Sour cream
- 1 tbsp Fresh dill(finely chopped (optional))
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- for greasing Butter or oil
- 1 large Egg(for brushing)
- 1-2 tbsp Yogurt or sour cream(for brushing)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
For the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, lukewarm water, egg, vegetable oil, salt, and vinegar. Mix until a dough starts to form.
💡 Tip: The vinegar helps to tenderize the dough. - 2
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Form into a ball, place back in the bowl, cover with a damp tea towel, and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- 3
Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
- 4
For the filling: In a separate bowl, combine the soft sheep's cheese, 3 eggs, sour cream, optional dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- 5
Grease a baking tray generously with butter or oil. Divide the rested dough into 4 equal portions.
- 6
On a lightly oiled surface, stretch or roll out each portion of dough very thinly. Place one thin sheet of dough in the prepared baking tray, then spread a quarter of the cheese filling over it. Roll up the dough into a long, sausage-like shape. Form this roll into a spiral and place it in the baking tray. Repeat with the remaining dough portions and filling, adding each new spiral to the existing one in the tray.
- 7
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg for brushing and the yogurt or sour cream. Brush this mixture evenly over the top of the pie.
- 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and puffed.
- 9
Let the pie cool slightly before slicing and serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a quicker version, store-bought puff pastry can be used, layering it at the bottom and top of the filling.
- ✓Brânză de oi is a traditional Romanian sheep's cheese; feta can be used as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- ✓Ensure the dough is rolled very thin for a delicate crust.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese filling.
- Incorporate finely chopped fresh parsley along with dill.