Meli Pita (Honey Pie)
This is a traditional Greek Easter dessert, which is said to have originated on the island of Siphnos. The original pie combined delicious local honey with a special soft cheese made from sheep's milk.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 4 tablespoons cold water
Filling
- 1 pound ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 eggs
- Grated rind of 1 lemon
- Cinnamon
Instructions
Crust
- Sift the flour. Add the butter with a pastry cutter or fork. The mixture will be crumbly. Gradually add 4 tablespoons of cold water, stirring until the dough is smooth. Roll out on a floured board with a rolling pin. Lift the dough carefully into a 9-inch pie plate. Pat into place and trim the edges. Set aside.
Filling
- Beat the ricotta cheese and honey together. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
- Grate the lemon rind and stir it into the cheese mixture.
- Pour the mixture into the pie crust.
- Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Cool.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Chill in the refrigerator.