Cooking Index - Cooking Recipes & IdeasKreatopitakia (Baked Savory Pastries W/ Seasoned Meat) Recipe - Cooking Index

Kreatopitakia (Baked Savory Pastries W/ Seasoned Meat)

Cuisine: Greek
Type: Meat
Courses: Starters and appetizers
Serves: 60 people

Recipe Ingredients

3 tablespoons 45mlButter or margarine
2   Shallots or onions - minced
1 lb 454g / 16ozLean ground lamb or beef
1/2 cup 118mlDry white wine
3 sections  Fresh parsley - chopped
1 tablespoon 15mlChopped fresh mint or dill
1/2 cup 118mlTomato sauce
  Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup 73g / 2.6ozGrated cheese*
1   Egg - lightly beaten
1 tablespoon 15mlBread crumbs - if necessary
1 lb 454g / 16ozCommercial filo sheets
1 cup 198g / 7ozButter - melted

Recipe Instructions

*Note: Suggested cheeses for this recipe are Greek kefalotyri or Parmesan.

Heat the 3 tablespoons butter or margarine and cook the shallots until soft, then add the meat and mash with a fork over medium heat until the color changes. Add the wine and simmer a few minutes. Stir in the herbs and tomato sauce; season with salt and pepper to taste and simmer for 20 minutes. Cool. Add the cheese and egg, and if the mixture is very liquid, stir in the bread crumbs immediately before stuffing.

Filo sheets should be unrolled flat, and cut into thirds (3 x 11 inches). Pile up the filo, covering it with waxed paper and a damp towel. Take out one sheet at a time and keep the rest covered. Butter the filo, one sheet at a time, using a pastry brush and the 1 cup melted butter. Place 1 teaspoon of the meat filling 1 inch from the end nearest you.

Fold the filo back over the filling so the bottom edge meets the left edge, forming a right angle. Continue folding back at right angles to make the triangular shape. Place on baking sheets and keep covered until all are ready to bake. Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees) for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden and crisp, turning once. Serve hot.

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

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