Plăcintă
This dish, from Moldova (is prounced plah-CHEEN-tah) and is much more appetizing than its name suggests. Potatoes and cheese are used to stuff bread which is then fried to crispy perfection.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1-½ tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- 2 eggs, divided
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 tbsp. vegetable oil
- Olive or vegetable oil, for frying
For the Filling:
- 2 cups feta cheese
- 2 cups ricotta or cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 small bunch of dill
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Stir in one egg, buttermilk, milk and 3 tablespoons of oil until dough comes together.
- In a separate bowl, finely crumble the feta cheese; add ricotta cheese and one egg; mix until thoroughly combined.
- Chop the fresh dill and mix into the cheese and egg mixture until evenly spread throughout.
- Divide dough into 8 sections.
- On a floured surface roll each section into an 8-inch circle.
- Add ¾ cup to 1 cup of filling mixture to the center of each circle.
- Spread the filling out until it reaches just up to ¼-inch from the edge of the dough.
- Fold the edges of the dough over the top of the filling so there is 4 to 6 folds over the top.
- Roll out the filled dough into a 6-inch circle.
- Pre-heat a cast iron skillet, over medium heat, and coat the surface with oil.
- Add the pies, one at a time, and crisp on each side until golden brown; 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Transfer to a plate and serve hot.