Kasseri, Tomato & Basil Crescents (Kasseropites)
Submitted by lindsayjacobsen7
Kasseropites: Greek kasseri cheese, tomato, and basil hand-rolled into crescent pastries, baked golden. A vegetarian Greek appetizer made from scratch with a red wine vinegar dough.
YIELD
8 servingsPREP
20 minCOOK
40 minREADY
60 minKasseropites are traditional Greek cheese pastries, and this version uses kasseri, a semi-hard, slightly tangy sheep’s milk cheese that melts beautifully inside the folded dough. Fresh tomato and basil keep the filling from being too rich.
What sets this dough apart from standard pastry is the red wine vinegar, which gives it a slight tang and helps with elasticity. Knead it a full 10 minutes, let it rest 30, then roll each of the 8 pieces thin before spooning in the filling and pressing the edges sealed. A dusting of paprika on top before they go in gives the finished crescents their color.
Serve hot from the oven when the cheese is still molten inside.
Kitchen Tips
- Kasseri can be found at Greek or Middle Eastern grocery stores. Halloumi is a reasonable substitute in a pinch
- Press the edges firmly and crimp them, or the filling will escape as it melts
- Chop tomatoes and pat them dry before adding to the filling to prevent soggy pastry
Ingredients
Directions
Blend water, oil, vinegar, egg and salt in large bowl.
Gradually stir in enough flour so dough pulls away from sides of bowl.
Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
Shape dough into round. Grease bowl. Add dough, turning to coat surface.
Cover with damp towel and let stand in warm draft-free area 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350℉ (180℃).
Grease baking sheets. Combine cheese, tomatoes and basil in bowl.
Divide dough into 8 pieces. Shape each into smooth round.
Roll each out on lightly floured surface to thickness of ¼ to ⅛ inch.
Spoon some of cheese mixture down center of each round.
Fold one side over filling; press edges to seal.
Arrange cresents on prepared sheets.
Sprinkle with paprika.
Bake until cheese has melted and pastry is golden brown, about 40 minutes.
Serve hot.
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