BANITSA WITH LEEKS AND CHEESE (BULGARIAN LEEKS AND CHEESE PIE)

feta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: ricotta

Cottage cheese offers lower fat content while still providing creaminess.

phyllo dough

🥗Healthier: whole wheat dough

💰Cheaper: homemade pastry

Whole wheat dough increases fiber content.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil adds healthy fats.

yogurt

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt is thicker and adds protein.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Wash and chop the leeks finely.

Sauté the leeks in a pan with a little oil until soft, about 5-7 minutes.

In a bowl, mix the sautéed leeks, crumbled feta cheese, eggs, and yogurt until well combined.

Lay a sheet of phyllo dough on a clean surface and brush with melted butter.

Place another sheet on top and brush again with butter.

Spoon some of the leek and cheese mixture along one edge of the phyllo dough.

Roll the dough over the filling to form a log, then coil it into a spiral shape.

Place the spiraled banitsa in a greased baking dish.

Brush the top with more melted butter.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30-40 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens