Cypriot Tyropita - Make a Cheese Pie

Welcome to the heart of Cypriot cuisine! Today, we're diving into the delightful world of Savory Delight: Authentic Cyprus Tyropita, a classic pie with cheese that has graced Cypriot tables for generations. This traditional Greek vegetarian recipe isn't just a dish; it's a taste of history, a staple in every household, and the perfect cheese party food. Whether you're an experienced baker or just starting your journey into yia yia Greek food, this guide will walk you through creating a truly delicious, flaky, and utterly satisfying cheese bake recipe from scratch. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this incredible food with cheese that promises layers of flavor and a crispy filo pastry sheets exterior!

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) Feta Cheese: For authenticity, opt for sheep’s or goat’s milk feta. It crumbles beautifully and offers a richer, tangier flavor.
• 1 cup (240g) Cottage Cheese or Ricotta Cheese: Make sure to drain it really well to prevent a soggy pie!
• 1 lb (450g) Filo Pastry: About 18-20 sheets, thawed according to package instructions. Store-bought is perfectly fine; just keep it covered!
• 2 Large Eggs: Lightly beaten.
• ½ cup (113g) Unsalted Butter: Melted, for brushing the filo sheets.
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil for flavor and brushing.
• 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, zesty note to the filling.
• ¼ cup Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped. You can also use a mix of dill or mint for added freshness.
• ½ teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Or to taste. Feta is salty, so taste before adding extra salt.
• 1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds: (Optional) For sprinkling on top, adding a lovely nutty crunch.

Directions

1. Prepare the Irresistible Cheese Filling In a large bowl, combine the crumbled greek feta cheese, well-drained cottage cheese (or ricotta), beaten eggs, chopped fresh parsley, lemon juice, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly with a fork until well combined but still a bit chunky. This is your savory heart for the recipes made with cheese! Set this aside.
2. Get Your Oven and Baking Pan Ready Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan or a round 9-inch springform pan with a little olive oil or butter.
3. Layering the Flaky Filo Magic Carefully unroll your filo pastry sheets. Remember, filo dries out super fast, so keep the unused sheets covered with a slightly damp kitchen towel. Lay one sheet of filo in your prepared pan, letting the excess hang over the sides. Brush it lightly but entirely with melted butter. Repeat this process with about 6-8 more sheets, buttering each layer. For the next 4-5 sheets, you'll create a base where the filling will sit without overhang.
4. Form the Filling into a Log and Roll into a Spiral Evenly spread your prepared cheese filling along one of the longer edges of the filo sheets that are laid out (the ones with overhang). Gently roll the filo with the filling into a loose log. Carefully transfer this log to your baking pan, coiling it into a spiral shape in the center. If you have more filling and filo, you can create a second log and coil it around the first, or simply fill out the rest of your base.
5. Finish with a Golden Touch Once your pie with cheese is assembled, trim any excess filo pastry hanging over the edges. Brush the entire top surface of the spiral pie generously with the remaining melted butter and olive oil mixture. If you're using them, sprinkle the sesame seeds evenly over the top for that classic finish.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and the filo is wonderfully crisp. The aroma alone will tell you it’s almost ready!