Tiropsomo - Greek Cheese Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (7g) instant yeast 1 packet (7g) instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (240ml) warm water 1 cup (240ml) warm water
• 1 cup (150g) crumbled feta cheese 1 cup (150g) crumbled feta cheese
• 1 cup (250g) ricotta cheese 1 cup (250g) ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 32g, 1g
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, dried oregano, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
2. 2.
   Add the olive oil and warm water to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   In a separate bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese, ricotta cheese, chopped parsley, and chopped dill. Mix well.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions.
8. 8.
   Roll out one portion of the dough into a rectangle shape, about 1/4 inch thick.
9. 9.
   Spread half of the cheese mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
10. 10.
    Roll the dough tightly from one end to the other, forming a log shape. Pinch the edges to seal.
11. 11.
    Repeat steps 8-10 with the remaining dough and cheese mixture.
12. 12.
    Place both cheese-filled dough logs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
13. 13.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.
14. 14.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Feta cheese — Use high-quality feta cheese for the best flavor and texture. If possible, opt for Greek feta cheese, which has a distinct tangy taste.
• Ricotta cheese — Make sure the ricotta cheese is well-drained to prevent the filling from becoming too watery.
• Fresh herbs — If you don't have access to fresh herbs, you can substitute them with dried herbs. However, fresh herbs add a vibrant flavor to the bread.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced garlic flavor, you can add minced garlic to the cheese filling.
• Serve Tiropsomo warm for the best taste and texture.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of the bread.
• Tiropsomo pairs well with a variety of dips, such as tzatziki or hummus.
• Leftover Tiropsomo can be toasted and enjoyed the next day.

Serving advice

Tiropsomo is best served warm. Slice it into thick pieces and enjoy it on its own or with your favorite Greek dishes.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some extra chopped fresh herbs on top of the bread before baking. This will add a pop of color and make it even more visually appealing.