Ossetian pie with beetroot tops and cheese

6 servings

60 minutes

Ossetian pie with beet greens and cheese is a traditional dish of Ossetian cuisine that combines the aroma of fresh herbs and the tenderness of melting suluguni cheese. This pie symbolizes home comfort, hospitality, and ancient culinary traditions of the Caucasus. For centuries, Ossetians have made pies with various fillings, but the combination of beet greens and cheese gives the dish a special zest and lightness. The crispy golden crust hides a juicy soft filling inside, while butter adds tenderness to the taste. This pie is perfect for festive gatherings as well as everyday dinners. It is wonderful when warm but retains its flavor even when cooled down, remaining tender and aromatic. A true delight for lovers of traditional Caucasian cuisine!

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 365.3
• Proteins: 14.4g
• Fats: 12.1g
• Carbohydrates: 52.5g

Ingredients

• Wheat flour: 400 g
• Water: 75 ml
• Dry yeast: 11 g
• Vegetable oil: 10 ml
• Salt: to taste
• Sugar: pinch
• Suluguni cheese: 200 g
• Beet tops: 200 g
• Butter: 10 g

Cooking steps

1. Add dry yeast to the flour and mix. Separately mix water, vegetable oil, salt, and sugar. Pour this mixture into the flour with yeast and knead the dough. Let it rise for about 20 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Dry yeast: 11 g
   • Wheat flour: 400 g
   • Water: 75 ml
   • Vegetable oil: 10 ml
   • Salt:  to taste
   • Sugar:  pinch

2. While the dough is rising, we prepare the filling. Finely chop the beet greens and mix them with butter. Grate the cheese and add it to the greens with butter. Optionally, add a little salt. The filling for the pies is ready.

   Required ingredients:

   • Beet tops: 200 g
   • Butter: 10 g
   • Suluguni cheese: 200 g
   • Salt:  to taste

3. We form a ball from the prepared dough, then flatten it with our hands or roll it into a flatbread. We make a ball from the filling, place it in the center of the flatbread, and slightly flatten it. Then we fold the edges of the flatbread towards the center to cover the filling. While covering the filling with dough, we carefully smooth and flatten the pie into a flatbread shape with our palms. We do not completely close the edges of the dough in the center; leave a small opening for steam to escape.

4. Place the pie on a baking sheet greased with vegetable oil and put it in a preheated oven at 220 degrees. Bake the pie for 10-15 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Vegetable oil: 10 ml