Episode #9 BELLA'S BANITSA

Introduce the dish Banita, a Bulgarian breakfast food.

Gather all ingredients and utensils: feta cheese, Bulgarian yogurt, eggs, baking powder, salt, butter, phyllo dough, oil sprayer, and wilted spinach.

Start making the filling by separating the egg yolk (for glazing) from the egg whites and whisk the egg whites in a bowl.

Add a little over 1 cup of plain yogurt to the whisked egg whites.

Add a little salt and 0.5 teaspoons of baking powder to the mixture.

Mash in about a third of a 1-pound block of feta cheese into the mixture.

If using spinach, add it to the filling last.

Cover the phyllo dough with a damp paper towel to prevent it from cracking while working with it.

Aim to make four long rolls from the filling and then spiral them on a cookie sheet, using two sheets of phyllo for each roll.

Pour some filling at the top of the phyllo sheet, then brush melted butter halfway down the sheet before adding more filling.

Roll the phyllo towards you, then place the seam down in the center of the cookie sheet.

Connect the next roll at the end of the last one and keep spiraling, compacting as you go.

Spray a little extra oil on top to keep it moist and glaze with the remaining egg and melted butter mixture.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bake the rolled and glazed Banita in the oven for about 45 minutes.

Let the Banita rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

Equipment Needed

Dietary

Allergens