Tiropitakia Kourou (Greek Cheese Pies with Yogurt Dough)

Ingredients

• 4 cups (540g) all purpose flour
• 1 cup olive oil
• ​1 cup (270g) Greek Yogurt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 oz (230-300g) feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• freshly ground pepper to taste
• ​about 1/4 cup finely chopped mint
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• ​1/4 (56g) cup yogurt
• 1 egg yolk + 2 tablespoons milk (for egg wash)
• Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the DoughPreheat the oven to 350°F (160°C).

2. 2

   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar. In another bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, yogurt, and egg, then whisk until smooth. Slowly add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, whisking until it thickens. Use your hands to mix in the remaining flour, being careful not to overmix so the dough stays soft. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest for 5–10 minutes.

3. 3

   Prepare the FillingIn a mixing bowl, combine feta cheese, mozzarella, yogurt, and the beaten egg. Season with ground black pepper, then mix in the fresh mint and dried oregano until fully incorporated.

4. 4

   Shape the DoughLine two baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the dough into two equal portions, then divide each portion into 8 smaller pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and flatten into a 5-inch circle using your fingertips or a rolling pin. Do not add extra flour at this stage, as it will make the dough dry and tough.

5. 5

   Assemble the Cheese PiesPlace a spoonful of filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over and press the edges together to seal. Arrange 8 pies on each prepared baking sheet. Use a fork to press down the edges for a decorative design.

6. 6

   Egg Wash and ToppingWhisk together 1 egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of water until smooth. Brush the tops of the pies with the egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds over them.

7. 7

   Bake and ServeBake for 20–25 minutes, until the pies are golden brown. Halfway through baking, rotate the trays by moving the bottom tray to the top rack and the top tray to the bottom. Remove from the oven and serve warm.