Maznik - Bulgarian Cheese Pastry

Ingredients

• 10 sheets of phyllo pastry 10 sheets of phyllo pastry
• 200g (7oz) Bulgarian white cheese, crumbled 200g (7oz) Bulgarian white cheese, crumbled
• 2 eggs, beaten 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Butter or oil for brushing the pastry Butter or oil for brushing the pastry

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 28g, 2g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a bowl, combine the crumbled Bulgarian white cheese, beaten eggs, parsley, dill, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
3. 3.
   Lay one sheet of phyllo pastry on a clean surface and brush it lightly with melted butter or oil.
4. 4.
   Place another sheet of phyllo pastry on top and brush it with butter or oil as well. Repeat this process until you have 5 layers of phyllo pastry.
5. 5.
   Spread a thin layer of the cheese mixture evenly over the top sheet of phyllo pastry.
6. 6.
   Roll the layered pastry tightly into a spiral shape.
7. 7.
   Repeat steps 3-6 with the remaining 5 sheets of phyllo pastry and cheese mixture.
8. 8.
   Place the rolled pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. 9.
   Brush the tops of the pastries with melted butter or oil.
10. 10.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and crispy.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Phyllo pastry — Handle the phyllo pastry gently to prevent it from tearing. Keep it covered with a damp cloth while working to prevent it from drying out.
• Bulgarian white cheese — If you can't find Bulgarian white cheese, you can substitute it with feta cheese, which has a similar texture and flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a small amount of crumbled cooked bacon or sautéed onions to the cheese mixture.
• To achieve a crispier pastry, brush each layer of phyllo pastry with butter or oil generously.
• Serve Maznik warm for the best taste and texture.
• Leftover Maznik can be reheated in the oven to regain its crispiness.
• Experiment with different herbs such as mint or basil to customize the flavor of the cheese filling.

Serving advice

Serve Maznik as a main dish for breakfast or brunch, accompanied by a fresh salad or Bulgarian yogurt. It can also be enjoyed as a snack or appetizer.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top of the pastry before baking. The seeds will add a touch of visual appeal and a subtle nutty flavor.