Plăcinte cu Brânză (Moldovan Cheese Pies)
Local name: Plăcinte cu brânză
In short: Thin, flaky pies filled with salty brined cheese, fresh dill and egg, baked until golden and brushed with butter, a staple of Moldovan homes. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 50 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 640 kcal
Plăcinte are everyday pies in Moldova, sold in bakeries and at markets and baked at home for lunch and for guests. A thin, oily dough is folded around a salty, tangy cheese filling flecked with dill, then baked until the layers turn crisp at the edges and tender in the middle. They are eaten warm, on their own or with yogurt or tea. Other fillings include potatoes, cabbage and pumpkin.
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt in a bowl. Add the warm water, 2 tablespoons of oil and the vinegar and knead for 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth and soft. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Mash the feta and cottage cheese together with the egg, dill and pepper into a thick, even filling.
- Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F) with a heavy baking sheet inside. Divide the dough into 8 balls and roll each into a round about 20 cm (8 in) wide and as thin as you can manage.
- Brush each round lightly with oil. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of filling onto one half, leaving a border, fold the dough over into a half-moon and press the edges with a fork to seal.
- Lay the pies on a sheet of oiled parchment, brush the tops with oil and slide the parchment onto the hot sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until deep golden.
- Brush the hot pies with the melted butter, stack them and cover with a clean towel for 5 minutes to soften the crust. Serve warm.
Tips
- Roll the dough as thin as you can without tearing it. Thin dough gives crisp, flaky layers.
- If the cheese is very salty, soak the crumbled feta in cold water for 15 minutes and drain it well before mixing the filling.
Questions and answers
Can I make plăcinte ahead of time?
Yes. Shape and refrigerate them unbaked for a day, or freeze them for 2 months and bake from frozen, adding 8 minutes. Baked pies reheat well in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 8 minutes.
Can I fry plăcinte instead of baking them?
Yes. Cook them in a lightly oiled pan over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and puffed. This gives a chewier crust.
What other fillings are traditional for plăcinte?
Mashed potatoes with fried onion, cabbage with onion, and sweet pumpkin with sugar are all classics. Sweet cheese with raisins is another.
How long does it take to make Plăcinte cu Brânză (Moldovan Cheese Pies)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 50 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Plăcinte cu Brânză (Moldovan Cheese Pies)?
About 640 kcal per serving, with 24 g of protein, 68 g of carbohydrates and 30 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 640 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 68 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 1300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
