Plăcinte Poale-n Brâu (Moldavian Folded Cheese Pies)
Local name: Plăcinte poale-n brâu
In short: Squares of thin, flaky dough folded around a salty cheese and dill filling and baked golden, a Moldavian pie that is eaten warm. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 450 kcal
The name poale-n brâu means skirt tucked into the belt, which describes the shape exactly: a square of thin dough with its corners folded in toward a center of cheese. These pies belong to Moldavia in eastern Romania, where they are baked for family gatherings and sold in bakeries. The filling is salty, herby and tender, and the dough needs only flour, water and a little oil.
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt in a bowl. Add the water, the 3 tbsp oil and the vinegar and knead for 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- For the filling, mash the farmer's cheese and feta with the egg, dill and pepper. Taste, but go easy on added salt, because feta is salty.
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line two trays with baking paper.
- Divide the dough into 12 pieces of about 55 g (2 oz). Roll each on a lightly floured surface into a thin 18 cm (7 in) square and brush lightly with oil.
- Put 2 tbsp of filling in the center of each square. Fold the four corners in toward the middle, overlapping them slightly, and press the seams so the pie holds. A little filling should show in the center.
- Set the pies on the trays and brush the tops with oil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden and crisp at the edges. Serve warm.
Tips
- Roll the dough as thin as you can without tearing it. If it springs back, cover it and let it rest for 5 more minutes.
- For a sweet version, mix the farmer's cheese with 3 tbsp sugar, an egg yolk and a handful of raisins instead of the feta and dill. These pies can also be fried in a shallow layer of oil.
Questions and answers
Can I make poale-n brâu ahead of time?
Yes. Shape the pies and refrigerate them on the tray, covered, for up to 6 hours before baking. Baked pies reheat in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 8 minutes.
Can I freeze them?
Freeze the shaped, unbaked pies on a tray, then bag them for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 190°C (375°F) for 30 to 35 minutes.
What cheese should I use?
A mix of fresh farmer's cheese and a salty brined cheese such as telemea or feta gives the best balance. Use all fresh cheese and add salt if you want a milder filling.
How long does it take to make Plăcinte Poale-n Brâu (Moldavian Folded Cheese Pies)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 1 h of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Plăcinte Poale-n Brâu (Moldavian Folded Cheese Pies)?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 19 g of protein, 53 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19 g |
| Carbohydrates | 53 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 550 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
