Eid-ul Fitr is one of the biggest festivals for the Muslim community across the world. The day commemorates the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. Also known as Meethi Eid, the day is to celebrate togetherness, joy, and warmth. After the morning prayer, Muslim families greet each other with affection and share love with family members and loved ones. On this day, the first thing that everyone looks forward to is food, specifically sweets. The kitchen transforms into the throbbing heart of homes, ready to serve everything from sweets to savory. Sheer khuma, Seviyan, and Kheer, with some modern sweets, take part to be served as sweet dishes. While the day is about all things sweet, we thought of sharing savory Eid snacks prepared with cheese.
Cheese is loved by all age groups, and it ups the game when added to any festive platter. Before you begin to hear your stomach rumbling, let's begin with a recipe for crispy cheese pastry. Let the snacking begin!
Ingredients:
Method:
To achieve the perfect balance, combine cheese with a touch of sweetness. Adding sugar to the cheese filling brings out the savory flavors and provides your pastry with a delicate dessert-like finish. For an added richness, drizzle honey or date syrup once baked. This subtle sweetness prevents the savory cheese from becoming too overpowering.
The selection of cheese is an important consideration. Cheddar adds a tang, bold flavor while mozzarella dissolves into creaminess. Putting them together brings richness and subtle flavor. Get a saltier kick with the addition of feta or paneer for extra boldness.
To achieve a flaky, golden crust, make sure your butter is cold when kneading dough. Slow-melting cold butter forms crisp layers in the oven. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes also helps it stiffen, making it easier to shape the pastries and preventing them from baking unevenly.
A tight seal is important to prevent the cheese from leaking during baking. Press the edges down with a fork to create a ridged pattern and seal the filling in. Not only does this secure the filling, but it also provides a decorative look to your pastries.
After baking your pastries, a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of sesame seeds enhances the experience. For an enhanced aroma, brush the pastries with melted butter or milk immediately after removing them from the oven to infuse them with a warm, inviting sheen.
For an Indian touch, use a paneer filling with cumin, coriander, and ground red chilli. The spices impart a warm heat to the pastry, and the soft texture of paneer complements the flaky layers of pastry wonderfully. Sprinkle a pinch of chaat masala for extra flavor, and this version is ideal for those to enjoy the day.
For a sweeter twist, combine chopped dates with crushed almonds and walnuts. This filling provides a rich, chewy texture that complements flaky pastry well. A pinch of cinnamon adds warmth, and this version is perfect for dessert tables or teatime snacks.
For something more fragrant, mix grated cheese with minced mint, coriander, and oregano. The herbs give the cheese a refreshing taste, which is light but fulfilling as a snack. This filling goes well with a hint of black pepper for a subtle kick.