Filo pastry is widely used in Greek cookery and so long as a few simple rules are followed, it is easy to work with and the results are always impressive.
PREPARATION TIME : about 35 minutes. COOKING TIME: about 45 minutes. OVEN TEMPERATURE: 190°C/375°F/Gas 5 SERVES:8-10
Ingredients
- 450 gr/1 lb chicken breast fillets, skinned
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 2 celery sticks, roughly chopped
- 3 peppercorns
- pinch of salt
- sprig of fresh parsley
- 50 g/2 oz butter
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 50g/2 oz feta cheese, grated
- 1 egg beaten
- 225 g/8 oz filo pastry, thrawed if frozen
- 225 g/8 oz melted butter
Step 1
Place the chicken fillets in a deep frying pan with the onion, celery, peppercorns, salt and parsley sprigs.Add enough water to cover the chicken and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked enough
Step 2
Remove the chicken from the pan using a slotted spoon and transfer to a food processor or blender with the onion and celery.Discard the cooking liquid and clean the pan ready to use again.
Step 3
Process the chicken and vegetables until the texture is fine.Melt the 50g/2 oz butter in the cleaned frying pan and saute the chicken and vegetable mixture for 5-10 minutes, or until lightly browned.Stir in the chopped dill and the grated cheese.Set aside to cool completely, then beat in the egg.Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas 5.
Step 4
To make the filo rolls lay the filo pastry out on thr work surface and cover with a slightly damp cloth.Seperate the first sheet of pastry and lay it on the work surface, keeping the remaining sheets covered to preven them from drying out.Divide into three equal strips and brush each strip lightly with the melted butter.
Step 5
Place the 2 heaped tsp of the chicken mixture at one end of the strip of pastry and fold in the long sides of the strip by about 5mm in.Roll up the pastry strip, starting at the filling end, keeping the roll firm and neat.Place the roll on a buttered baking sheet and brush with a little extra melted butter.
Step 6
Repeat the process with the other strips and then continue with another sheet of pastry in the same way.You may need more than one buttered baking sheet.
Step 7
Bake the filo rolls in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until lighly golden and crisp.
Step 8
Enjoy your homemade food.
Tips
For a better taste, add to the mixture sweet potato or/and spinach - There are many ways to change or improve the taste of this recipe.Simply visit the sources below for some other varations which will be closer to your food taste.
