๐ Beef Pita, Greek Style Recipe
๐ Total Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
๐ฝ๏ธ Servings: 12
๐ Description:
Indulge in the rich flavors of Greece with our delightful Beef Pita, Greek Style recipe. Bursting with Mediterranean goodness, this dish is a perfect fusion of succulent beef, aromatic spices, and creamy cheese, all wrapped in layers of flaky phyllo pastry. Elevate your weeknight dinner with this European-inspired marvel that’s oven-baked to golden perfection.
๐ฅฉ Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup Burgundy wine
- 1 cup rose wine
- 1 egg
- 1 1/4 cups cream cheese
- 1/2 cup cream-style cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 12 phyllo pastry sheets
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Cherry tomatoes for garnish
๐ฅ Instructions:
- In a large frying pan, combine ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef loses its pink color, stirring frequently.
- Pour off any excess drippings.
- Add sliced mushrooms, bay leaf, salt, chili powder, cumin powder, and cinnamon to the pan. Cook until the mushrooms are tender, approximately 5 minutes.
- Stir in tomato sauce and both wines. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaf.
- While the meat mixture cools, prepare the cheese filling. In a medium bowl, beat the egg and cream cheese until smooth. Stir in cottage and feta cheeses, blending thoroughly.
- Brush a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with melted butter.
- Line the pan with one sheet of phyllo pastry, ensuring it contours to the pan’s edges. Brush the pastry with butter.
- Layer three more pastry sheets, brushing each with butter. Sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs.
- Spoon 1/5 of the meat filling and 1/5 of the cheese filling over the pastry.
- Repeat the layering process with three more pastry sheets, crinkling each and brushing with butter.
- Turn the bottom pastry ends up over the filling.
- Place the remaining eight pastry sheets over the top, brushing each with butter. Use a spatula to tuck the top pastry sheets around the inside edges of the pan.
- With a sharp knife, score the top lightly in half lengthwise and sixths crosswise (do not cut through).
- Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees F) for 1 hour or until the top is golden brown.
- Allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting along the scored lines.
- Garnish each serving with a cherry tomato on a small wooden pick and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
- For an extra touch, serve with fresh fruit kabobs. Simply thread chunks of fresh pineapple, cantaloupe, and whole strawberries onto small wooden skewers.
๐ Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 771.1
- Fat: 71.7g
- Saturated Fat: 32.5g
- Cholesterol: 140.1mg
- Sodium: 675.2mg
- Carbohydrates: 17.1g
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Sugar: 3.6g
- Protein: 13.6g
โจ Tips and Serving Suggestions:
- To add a refreshing touch, serve each portion with a side of fresh fruit kabobs, creating a delightful contrast to the savory flavors.
- Experiment with different wine varieties for a unique twist in the meat filling.
- Ensure the phyllo pastry sheets are well-buttered to achieve that perfect flaky and golden crust.
Indulge in the enchanting aromas and flavors of Greece with our Beef Pita, Greek Style recipe. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this culinary masterpiece is sure to transport you to the sun-soaked shores of the Mediterranean! ๐ฌ๐ท๐ฝ๏ธ๐
