Tyropitakia are Greek cheese pies. I've changed them up a little by using sesame and a chilli infused honey.
That time of the year is slowly approaching! Summer time. Although it feels like it’s taking its time, the clouds are slowly disappearing and the sun is shining. It’s definitely warmer and before we know it we’ll be smothered in humidity.
My remedy for keeping cool?
A crisp, cold beer.
Yes. You may be spoilt for choice in this area but I want to talk about a special Japanese beer. Asahi Super Dry Extra Cold. This is no ordinary beer! This unique beer is brewed using the best quality ingredients. It’s best served at it’s optimal temperature of -2 deg C.
It’ really cold…
By keeping it this cold you end up with more flavour and a dryer refreshing taste. A beer this good needs even better food to go with it. When I was asked to come up with a recipe to pair the Asahi Super Dry Extra Cold, I naturally went with something Greek inspired.
"Tyropitakia" or mini cheese pies.
Tyropitakia are the perfect snack food for this beer and I’ve attempted to add a few different touches to the traditional recipe. I’ve coated my cheese pies in sesame seeds and smothered them in a chilli infused honey! The filling is a mixture of fresh ricotta, salty feta and pungent Pecorino. It’s finished off with a little nutmeg - which works well with the cheese.
It might seem like there’s a lot going on but it all comes together perfectly.
Crispy, warm tyropitakia. Salty, slightly pungent filling. Spicy honey.
They’re the perfect match for this unique beer served at sub zero temperatures.
Enjoy! Scroll down of the tyropitakia recipe.
📋 Recipe
Tyropitakia Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 sheets fillo pastry
- 150 g butter, melted
- 200 g ricotta cheese, fresh
- 200 g feta cheese, crumbled
- 50 g Pecorino, grated
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
- 1 pinch white pepper
- 5 eggs, (2 for the filling and 3 for the coating)
- 200 g sesame seeds
- chili infused honey, to drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 deg C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- In a large bowl combine the ricotta, feta, Pecorino, nutmeg, pepper and 2 eggs. Mix thoroughly to combine and set aside.
- Take one sheet of fillo, lay it out width wise on a clean bench, brush with melted butter and layer another sheet of fillo on top. Proceed until you have a stack of 4 fillo sheets all brushed with butter. Cut out 5 vertical strips form the pastry (each should measure approximately 8cms)
- Place one heaped tablespoon of the cheese mixture on the very top of the sheet allowing a few cms of space and press down lightly. Fold diagonally to form a triangle, then continue folding ensuring you keep a triangular shape. (Any excess fillo that remains can be “tucked in” by brushing it with a little extra butter).
- Continue with the remaining fillo and filling until you end up with 20 pies. Dip each pie in the beaten eggs, drain any excess and then place onto a plate filled with sesame seeds. Cover each pie with the sesame seeds until all are done and bake in the oven for approx. 15 mins until golden.
- When the pies come out of the oven allow them to cool for 5 minutes before drizzling them with the chilli infused honey.
Notes
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Souvlaki For the Soul
Tony Antoniou
These look and sound delicious! Love the idea of the chilli infused honey.
Maureen
Chilli infused honey? Asahi beer? Tyropitakia? Good grief, where do I sign up? 🙂
yanni
Sounds great,but for me a red sauce would be better,just saying.
Sini│My Blue&White Kitchen
What a great recipe! And that beer sounds fabulous as well! An optimal serving temperature of -2°C? Wow, that's cold!
Sara (Belly Rumbles)
Okay, there is just all kinds of good with that recipe. -2 deg for Asahi, will have to let the boys know.
The Fidgety Foodie
I´ve always adored my yiayia´s tiropitakia recipe. I think she could be open to the addition of honey but I probably won´t win her over with the beer ; )
Ron Swanson
By keeping the beer this cold you improve the flavour? No..you just kill your tastebuds, but that might be a good thing. Crap advertising aside the Tyropitakia look lovely
thefolia
Another great twist to one of my favorites...zito ta tiropitakia!