Fiteer Baladi - The Traditional Egyptian Layered Pastry

Ingredients

All-purpose flour

4 cups

Instant yeast

2 teaspoons

Salt

1 teaspoon

Water

1 1/2 cups, warm

Vegetable oil

1/2 cup

Unsalted butter

1/2 cup, melted

Filling of your choice (e.g. cheese, minced meat, vegetables)

as needed

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt.
2. Gradually add the warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients, mixing with a spoon or your hands until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 10 minutes. This allows the yeast to activate and the dough to rise slightly.
5. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Divide the prepared dough into 6 equal portions.
7. Using a rolling pin, roll out each portion into a thin circle or rectangle. The thinner the dough, the flakier the pastry will be.
8. Brush the surface of each rolled dough portion with the melted butter. This will give the pastry a golden color and a rich flavor.
9. Add your desired filling to one half of each dough portion, leaving a small border around the edges.
10. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and press the edges together to seal. This will create a pocket for the filling.
11. Transfer the filled dough portions to your prepared baking sheet.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the fiteer turns a gorgeous golden brown and is crispy to the touch.
13. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This will make it easier to slice and will prevent the filling from spilling out.
14. Slice the fiteer into pieces and enjoy it hot. The layered pastry and luscious filling make for a perfect bite every time.