Khachapuri(georgian cheese pie)

 
                      KHACHAPURI (GEORGIAN CHEESE PIE)
 
 Recipe By     : 
 Serving Size  : 8    Preparation Time :0:00
 Categories    : Russian                          Cheese/eggs
                 Vegetables
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
    2 1/2   c            Unbleached All Purpose Flour
      3/4   ts           Salt
    1       lg           Egg
    3       tb           Vegetable Oil
      1/2   c            Club Soda -- Or More If Needed
                         -, At Room Temperature
   12       tb           Unsalted (Sweet) Butter
                         - 1 1/2 Sticks, Melted
                         -----RED BEAN FILLING-----
                         -----NACHINKA IZ FASOLI-----
    1       c            Dried Red Beans -- Soaked
                         -Overnight In Water To Cover
                         Salt And Plenty Of Freshly
                         -Ground Black Pepper -- To
                         -Taste
      1/4   c            Olive Oil
    1 1/4   c            Onions -- Finely Chopped
      1/2   c            Cilantro -- Finely Chopped
 
   Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl and make a
   well in the middle. Pour in the egg, oil, and club
   soda and stir into the flour, adding more club soda if
   necessary, ot make a rather soft dough.  Transfer the
   dough to a floured board and knead until smooth and
   elastic, about 10 minutes. Shape the dough into a
   ball, cover with a linen or cotton (not terry cloth)
   kitchen towel and let stand for 1 hour.  Divide the
   dough into four parts and shape each one into a ball.
   Let stand, covered, for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven
   to 350 Degrees F. and butter two large baking sheets.
   On a floured surface, roll out one of the balls into
   an 1/8-inch thick square. Brush the dough with some of
   the melted butter  Dip your fingers into the melted
   butter and pull the edges of the dough in different
   directions, stretching it evenly until it is almost
   transparently thin. Don't worry if the dough tears, as
   you will be folding it up.  With a sharp knife, trim
   the edges of the dough to from an even square.  Fold
   the square in half, brush the surface generously with
   the melted d fold in half again crosswise to from a
   smaller square.  It should be approximately 6 to 7
   inches. It is isn't, pull it out slightly to fit the
   dimensions. Brush the square with butter.  Shape
   one-fourth of the filling into a ball and place in the
   center of the square.  Fold in the corners of the
   square like an envelope. With the palm of your hand,
   flatten the pie so it is about 1 inch thick. Brush the
   top with melted butter and carefully transfer to a
   prepared baking sheet.  Repeat the procedure with the
   rest of the dough and filling. Bake the pies in the
   middle of the oven, until golden brown, about 35
   minutes.  Serve warm.
   
   Makes 4 Pies for 8 Servings
   
   RED BEAN FILLING:
   
   Drain the beans and place them in a saucepan along
   with enough fresh water to cover by at least 2-inches.
   Bring to a boil and add salt, then reduce the heat to
   medium-low.  Cook the beans, partially covered, until
   almost mushy, about 1 1/2 hours.  While the beans are
   cooking, heat the oil in a medium size skillet, over
   medium heat, and add the onion to saute it. Stir
   occasionally, until dark brown, about 15 to 20
   minutes.  When the beans are done, drain well and
   mash.  Add the sauteed onions and their cooking fat
   and the cilantro.  Season generously with salt and
   freshly ground black pepper.  Cool to room temperature.
   
   Makes enough filling for 4 pies.
  
 
 
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