BANITSA CHEESE PIE

1. BANITSA (BULGARIAN FETA CHEESE PIE)
Banitsa is a Bulgarian white cheese pie.You can made a traditional version by wrapping phyllo
sheets around a filling of eggs, white cheese/feta, and yogurt, then arranging the rolled sheets in
a circular pattern. It is sometimes made by placing the filling between layers of phyllo. Mixed
with the eggs and flour, the filling had a creamy and light consistency. The baking soda reacts
with the acidity of the yogurt to help create that lightness. Drizzled with honey, it makes a
perfect breakfast. It can be served hot or cold.
There are many other variations that may include spinach (spanachena banitsa), milk
(mlechna banitsa), pumpkin (tikvenik), leek and onion (luchnik), cabbage (zelnik), or
apple (shtrudel).
In Bulgaria, Banitsa is to be made at Christmas with good luck charms added. The charms may
be small pieces of dogwood branches with a certain number of buds, coins, or handwritten
fortunes wrapped in foil.