Mini Pita Bread Hand Pies with Feta Cheese

Step 1

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. It needs 4-5 minutes to activate.

Step 2

Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients with a spoon (the activated yeast, the rest of the water, vinegar, salt, honey, flour). Knead the dough in the bowl for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth. Add very small amounts of extra flour if the dough is extremely sticky. Alternatively, knead the dough at medium speed in a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment about 1-2 minutes.

Step 3

Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let rise (double its size) in a warm place for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Step 4

Meanwhile, in a saucepan add olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, leek, thyme and sauté for 3 minutes. Add spring onion, red pepper for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Combine 2 scrambled eggs, crumbled feta. Mix well and set aside.

Step 5

When the dough has doubled, punch it down and transfer to a lightly floured (use durum or semolina flour) work surface. Cut into 6-10 even pieces. Form each dough piece into an even ball.

Step 6

Roll each piece of dough into a circle, no more than 1/4 inch thick, taking care not to tear the dough and keeping the thickness even all around. Use a round cutter or just a plate (I used a 7.8-inch plate) or any other size you prefer. Cut into even pieces and get neat edges.

Step 7

Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C.

Step 8

Brush the edge of one of the pastry circles with egg wash and place some filling in the middle.

Step 9

Take 1-3 tablespoons (according to the size of the disk) of the feta-pepper mixture and place it in the middle of each disc. Use a pastry brush to place the egg wash on the outer edges of the disc. Fold the disc over and gently press the edges to seal. With a fork press around the edges to seal well enough.

Step 10

Brush the top with egg wash. Carefully place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave about 1 inch of space between the pies.

Step 11

Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.