Gibanica sa Sirom i Jajima
A traditional Serbian savory pie made with layers of thin filo dough, filled with a mixture of fresh cheese (sir), eggs, and a touch of sour cream, then baked until golden and flaky.
๐ง Ingredients
- 1 package Filo dough sheets(about 450g, thawed according to package directions)
- 500 g Fresh cheese (sir)(preferably a soft, crumbly white cheese like feta or a Serbian 'sir' if available)
- 4 large Eggs
- 200 g Sour cream
- 100 ml Milk
- 100 ml Vegetable oil(for brushing the dough)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, optional)
๐จโ๐ณ Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 190ยฐC (375ยฐF). Lightly grease a 26-28 cm (10-11 inch) round baking dish or a rectangular baking pan.
- 2
In a large bowl, crumble the fresh cheese. Add the eggs, sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined.
- 3
Lay one sheet of filo dough in the prepared baking dish, letting the edges overhang. Brush it lightly with vegetable oil. Repeat with another sheet, placing it perpendicular to the first, and brush with oil. Continue layering and brushing with oil until you have used about half of the filo sheets, creating a base.
- 4
Pour the cheese and egg mixture evenly over the layered filo dough base.
- 5
Layer the remaining filo sheets on top of the filling, brushing each sheet with oil. Tuck the overhanging edges of the bottom layers over the top layers to seal the pie.
- 6
Brush the top layer generously with oil. You can score the top of the gibanica lightly with a knife to help it cook evenly.
- 7
Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- 8
Let the gibanica cool slightly before slicing and serving. It can be served warm or at room temperature.
๐ก Pro Tips
- โEnsure your filo dough is fresh and pliable. If it's dry, it will tear easily.
- โDon't overfill the pie, as the cheese mixture will expand slightly during baking.
- โFor a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of melted butter to the oil for brushing.
- โGibanica is best served fresh, but leftovers can be reheated in the oven.
โจ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a handful of chopped fresh parsley or dill to the cheese mixture.
- For a sweeter version, reduce the salt and add a tablespoon of sugar to the filling.
- Some recipes include a small amount of cooked spinach or leeks in the filling.