Turkish Cheese Pide

Last year I went to Turkey and my experience was in a word, delicious!!! I was obsessed with the food and culture. It was my third time there, but this time I was able to take in more of the culture and food than before. I love how they use simple ingredients to make food taste phenomenal! This Turkish cheese pide was just perfect! Thin soft bread, filled with a rich cheese filling! 

A delicious Turkish cheese pide ready to be enjoyed.

Preparation Time 20 minutes 

Rise Time 2 hours 

Cook Time 15 minutes 

Yields 8 pide 

Ingredients 

600 grams flour 

1 3/4 cups warm water 

1 tablespoon yeast 

1 tablespoon sugar 

1 tablespoon olive oil 

1 teaspoon salt 

Cheese Filling 

200 grams cream cheese 

1 cup mozzarella cheese- shredded 

1 cup cheddar cheese- shredded 

1 cup feta cheese- crumbled

Egg wash: 1 egg- beaten 

Olive oil- for brushing 

Butter- melted for brushing 

Sesame seeds- for topping 

1 cup cheddar cheese- shredded- for topping 

Turkish Cheese Pida

Instructions 

1. Mix the warm water, sugar and yeast in a mixing bowl. Set aside for 10-15 minutes until the yeast blooms. 

2. Once the yeast has bloomed, add the flour and salt. Use a dough hook to mix the dough together on a low speed. Add the oil, then increase the mixer speed to high and mix the dough until it begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. This should take around 5-6 minutes. 

3. Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to an hour until doubled in size. 

4. Combine all the ingredients for the cheese filling, then set it aside. 

5. Once the dough has risen and is doubled in size, divide the dough into 8 pieces. Roll into balls. Cover the dough balls with a tea towel and let them rest for 5 minutes. 

6. Preheat the oven to oven to 200c. 

7. Roll each dough ball into an oval shape. The oval should be around 8x6 inches. 

8. Brush the edges with olive oil. Then fold in the edges to create a lip. Make the tips pointed like a boat. Press the seams shut. 

9. Add the cheese mixture to the middles of the boats then top the cheese filling with extra shredded cheese. Leave the edges clear. Brush the edges with the egg wash and sprinkle over sesame seeds (only on the edges) if using. 

10. Bake the Pide for 7-8 minutes at 180c, at the bottom shelf of the oven until golden and crunchy. 

11. Remove from the oven and immediately brush the edges with melted butter. Serve immediately.