Serbian Stuffed Cheese Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240ml) warm milk 1 cup (240ml) warm milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup (150g) crumbled feta cheese 1 cup (150g) crumbled feta cheese
• 1 cup (120g) shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup (120g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (200g) cottage cheese 1 cup (200g) cottage cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 47g, 4g
• Protein: 17g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, mix together the feta cheese, mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. 6.
   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4 equal portions. Roll out each portion into a circle, about 1/4 inch thick.
7. 7.
   Spoon the cheese filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and press the edges to seal.
8. 8.
   Transfer the stuffed bread to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg wash.
9. 9.
   Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese filling is bubbly.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Slice and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Feta cheese — Crumble the feta cheese before mixing it with the other cheeses to ensure an even distribution throughout the filling.
• Cottage cheese — If the cottage cheese is too watery, drain it before using to prevent the filling from becoming too runny.
• Fresh parsley — For the best flavor, use fresh parsley instead of dried. However, if fresh parsley is not available, you can substitute it with 1 tablespoon of dried parsley.

Tips & Tricks

• Experiment with different cheese combinations to find your favorite blend of flavors.
• Serve the Serbian Stuffed Cheese Bread warm for the best taste and texture.
• Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top of the bread before baking for an extra crunch.
• If you prefer a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cheese filling.
• Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or toaster oven for a few minutes to regain their crispiness.

Serving advice

Serve the Serbian Stuffed Cheese Bread as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad or as an appetizer for sharing. Cut it into wedges or slices and serve it warm.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some fresh parsley or oregano on top of the bread before serving. You can also serve it on a wooden cutting board or a rustic platter to give it a traditional touch.