Pilavuna 😋 Tasty Cypriot Cheese Bread

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Tofu provides a plant-based protein option.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil has a high smoke point and is healthier.

bay leaves

🥗Healthier: thyme

💰Cheaper: oregano

Thyme adds a similar aromatic flavor.

cinnamon

🥗Healthier: nutmeg

💰Cheaper: allspice

Nutmeg offers a warm spice flavor.

4 hrs beforehand or previous day, grate helim/halloumi and cheddar finely into a bowl.

Add baking powder, semolina, crushed aniseed, mastic and mahlep seeds. Add dried mint and sultanas, mix well.

Break in 5 eggs and use hands to knead the mixture thoroughly.

Cover and store in fridge for at least 4 hrs or overnight.

After at least 4 hrs, roll mixture into equal size balls, using a drop of olive oil on hands. This mixture will make 25 golf size balls. Cover with cling film.

Prepare dough 2 hrs before needed.

In a bowl, mix flour and yeast. Add crushed mastic and mahlep seeds, salt, warm milk, olive oil and egg. Mix well with wooden spoon then knead with hands for 10 mins into a soft dough. Cover and leave to rise for 2 hrs.

After 2 hrs, knead dough for 2 mins, using a drop of olive oil on hands. Divide into equal pieces, same number as filling e.g. 25.

Cover with cling film and work with one at a time to roll and fill with 1 filling ball each.

Pinch corners with a fork, brush with egg and milk mix, sprinkle seed mix and bake on greaseproof paper at Gas Mark 4 until golden brown. Approx. 25 mins.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: