Kalitsounia me kanella (cretan cheese-cinnamon pastries)

20 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
Karen Mintzias
1½ cup Fresh mizithra or ricotta
2 tablespoons Grated hard ricotta
2 Eggs; separated
½ cup Granulated sugar
2 tablespoons Butter; melted
4 tablespoons Milk (or more)
2 cups All-purpose flour
1 pinch Salt
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar

Directions

For the filling, combine the cheeses, lightly beaten egg yolks, sugar, ½ 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 Kaltisounia 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.

From: "The Food of Greece" by Vilma Liacouras Chantiles. Avenel Books, New York.

Typed for you by Karen Mintzias

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