{"id":"recipe_2b6a889fd1","slug":"banitsa","title":"Banitsa","description":"A classic Bulgarian savory pastry made with layers of buttery filo dough and a rich filling of whisked eggs, tangy yogurt, and salty white cheese.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":35,"totalMinutes":55,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"400g Phyllo dough","name":"Phyllo Dough","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":14.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"thawed","notes":"thin sheets","group":"Pastry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"5 large eggs","name":"Egg","quantity":5,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":5,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"large","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"300g Feta cheese","name":"Feta cheese","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":10.6,"usUnit":"oz","form":"crumbled","notes":"preferably Bulgarian Sirene","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"250g plain yogurt","name":"Yogurt","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"plain","notes":"full fat or 2%","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"100g butter, melted","name":"Butter","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"melted","notes":"unsalted","group":"Pastry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tsp baking soda","name":"Baking Soda","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tbsp vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"for greasing the pan","group":"Pastry","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with vegetable oil.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and yogurt. Stir in the baking soda and the crumbled feta cheese until well combined.","group":"Filling","title":"Whisk together the eggs and yogurt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Lay one sheet of phyllo dough on a flat surface. Brush lightly with melted butter. Place another sheet on top and brush again. Spread a few spoonfuls of the egg and cheese mixture over the surface.","group":"Assembly","title":"Lay one sheet of phyllo dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Roll the sheets loosely into a cylinder and place it in the prepared pan. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling, arranging the rolls in a spiral or in rows.","group":"Assembly","title":"Roll the sheets loosely","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Brush the top of the Banitsa with any remaining butter. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and crispy.","group":"Baking","title":"Brush the top of the Banitsa","timerMinutes":35,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Remove from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.","group":"Finishing","title":"Remove from the oven and let it sit","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Traditional Bulgarian Banitsa is best when made with 'Sirene' cheese, but Greek Feta is a perfect substitute. Cooling the pie slightly before slicing helps the layers set.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Bulgarian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["Large mixing bowl","Whisk","Pastry brush","9x13 inch baking dish"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"pie","note":"Standard 9x13 inch baking dish"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The filling can be prepared 1 day in advance. The whole pastry can be assembled and frozen raw."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the oven to restore crispiness.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat at 325°F (163°C) for 10 minutes."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2b6a889fd1%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=00202ea3-93e4-45b4-b6ba-adbae631b257","imageAlt":"Banitsa — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["pastry","cheese","savory","traditional","phyllo"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Banitsa","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T04:59:40.523Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T04:59:40.523Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_943b7108be","slug":"buckwheat-porridge-hrechana-kasha","title":"Buckwheat Porridge (Hrechana Kasha)","description":"A nutritious, nutty, and comforting Eastern European staple. This fluffy buckwheat porridge is a healthy, gluten-free dish that is perfect for breakfast or as a hearty side.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_943b7108be%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7dd38cb8-7bb4-48fd-b6e8-db1d1eed0a49","imageAlt":"Buckwheat Porridge (Hrechana Kasha) — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","gluten-free","grains","comfort food","ukrainian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2de0ebda17","slug":"classic-fried-eggs-yayechnya","title":"Classic Fried Eggs (Yayechnya)","description":"A simple and hearty Eastern European breakfast staple, perfectly fried in butter until the whites are set and the yolks remain golden and runny.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":1,"cookMinutes":4,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","keto","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2de0ebda17%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0988b3e6-a90f-4431-b861-ac88053e5f08","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Eggs (Yayechnya) — recipe cover","tags":["eggs","breakfast","quick","protein","ukrainian","low carb"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"ovsena_kasa_da34fa4a4b","slug":"creamy-oatmeal-ovsena-kasa","title":"Creamy Oatmeal (Ovsená Kaša)","description":"A comforting and nourishing Eastern European breakfast staple made with rolled oats simmered in milk and water, traditionally served with a knob of butter and honey.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":8,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":8},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Slovak"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fovsena_kasa_da34fa4a4b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f129ec12-1f3d-4b53-b747-f42d48dcf3a2","imageAlt":"Creamy Oatmeal (Ovsená Kaša) — recipe cover","tags":["oatmeal","porridge","healthy","warm breakfast","easy breakfast","slovak"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5}]}