Tiganopsomo

Last summer while in Greece, I took my mom and my aunt for a day trip to the islands of Aegina and Agistri, both about 90 minutes away from Athens with the ferry boat.

After a long day of swimming, long lunch, more swimming…we went back to the taverna where we ate lunch and had early evening coffees while we waited for our boat to arrive.

We were full but I noticed the table next to us ordered some fry bread or in Greek “Tiganopsomo”. Practically every cuisine has it’s own version and Greeks be representin!

Fried dough? Yes! Fried dough filled with Feta? Yes! Fried dough filled with Feta and topped with honey and sesame seeds? OH YES!

Tiganopsomo

(makes 8 – 10)

For the dough

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. instant yeast

1 tsp. granulated sugar

3/4 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. white or red wine vinegar

1 1/4 cup tepid water

Filling

approx. 2 cups firm Feta cheese, crumbled

For frying

olive oil or sunflower oil

Garnishes

honey

sesame seeds

1. Into a bowl, add all your dry ingredients and stir with a fork to blend. Now add your olive oil, vinegar. If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and add a gradual stream of water while mixing. Your dough should be soft and not sticky.
2. Transfer dough to work surface, sprinkle some flour on work surface and knead for 2-3 minutes or until smooth.
3. Place dough back in bough and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rest for 1 hour.
4. Empty the dough on your work surface, divide into 8-10 equal pieces. Use your hands to shape the dough into round balls.
5. Roll each ball into flat circles, about 1/4 inch in thickness. Place crumbled feta over most of the surface area. Take the outer edges of your dough and fold up toward the center to make a round pouch.
6. Sprinkle some flour on work surface and on top of each pouch and roll into a flat round approx. 6 inches.
7. Place a deep pan on your stovetop and add enough oil to come 1 inch up the sides. Turn your heat to medium (oil temp about 325F).
8. Carefully place your dough in the oil and fry for about a minute per side or until dough is golden and bubbles up.
9. Transfer to a paper-lined tray and fry remaining flats of dough (add more oil in pan if needed).
10. Drizzle with honey and sesame seeds and serve warm.

© 2020, Peter Minaki. All rights reserved.