Ingredients
- 2 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup light olive oil
- 1/4 cup safflower oil
- 1/2 cup beer
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- drained overnight in a cheesecloth-lined colander
- 1/3 cup honey
- preferably thyme honey
- About 1/2 teaspoon (2 pieces) ground mastic (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- Ground cinnamon
Instructions
- MAKE THE PASTRY: In a large bowl combine 2 cups flour with the baking powder.
- Add the oils and beer and mix briefly with a wooden spoon or an electric mixer until soft, oily dough forms.
- If it is too soft, mix in a little more flour.
- Shape the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Flatten the dough with your hands.
- Place it in a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and press it evenly over the bottom and up the sides.
- Line with aluminum foil, and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil, prick the dough with a fork and bake for 15 to 20 minutes more, or until set but not colored.
- Let cool.
- MAKE THE FILLING: In a food processor, combine the ricotta, honey, mastic (if using) and cinnamon.
- Process for 30 seconds.
- With the motor running, add the eggs one at a time, processing until smooth.
- Pour the filling into the cooled tart shell and smooth the top with spatula.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the filling is golden brown and set.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and let cool before serving.
- FRESH CHEESE AND HONEY TARTLETS MYZITHROPITAKIA, LIHNARAKIA OR MELITINIA
- Instead of one large tart, you can make about 30 individual tartlets.
- Divide the dough into 3 pieces and shape each into a 10 1/2-inch-long log about 1 inch in diameter.
- Cut each log into 10 pieces.
- Work with 1 piece of dough at a time, keeping the remaining dough covered with plastic wrap.
- On a lightly floured surface, pat each piece into a 4 1/2-inch round.
- Put 1 tablespoon of the filling in the center of each round and pinch the rim to make a star-shaped crown around the filling.
- Bake on baking sheets in batches for about 25 minutes, or until light golden.
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