Bulgarian Yeast Pie “Namésnik”
Description
Ideal for tea and coffee. While preparing the “Namestnik,” pay special attention to the process of forming the pie from pieces. The surface of the finished product should resemble a woven basket. This original pie is served by separating the pieces from each other with a wooden spatula.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare the necessary ingredients, keeping in mind that for making "Namestnik" the cottage cheese does not have to be 5% fat; you can use a lower‑fat cottage cheese. And the whole‑grain flour used in the yeast dough can be substituted with rye or wheat flour if needed.
- 2
Step 2
Heat the milk until warm and dissolve the dry yeast in it, adding 0.5 tsp of sugar.
- 3
Step 3
Add the salt (about 0.5 tsp) and add whole‑grain flour, sifting it. Mix the components with a spoon.
- 4
Step 4
When sifting simultaneously, add the white flour (in portions) to the mixture and knead a soft dough.
- 5
Step 5
Cover the bowl with dough with a towel and place it in a warm spot for 30–40 minutes. The dough should increase in volume by about twofold.
- 6
Step 6
Prepare the pie filling by combining cottage cheese (previously mashed with a spoon), a pinch of salt, and 2 eggs.
- 7
Step 7
Knead the risen dough with your hands and place it on a work surface dusted with flour.
- 8
Step 8
Divide the dough into 4 equal parts and roll each of them consecutively into a rope 35–40 cm long.
- 9
Step 9
Roll each strip into a sheet so that its length remains the same and its width is 7–8 cm. Using a spoon, spread part of the cottage‑cheese filling in the center of the resulting base.
- 10
Step 10
Sew the ends of the dough together so that you get a long rope with filling, and then cut it into 12 equal pieces.
- 11
Step 11
Place each piece on a greased baking sheet with high sides. Arrange the pieces so that the cut side of one is next to the closed edge of another.
- 12
Step 12
As soon as all the pieces are on the baking sheet, gently press them with your hands to form a single pie.
- 13
Step 13
Prepare the glaze for "Namestnik". For this, lightly beat the eggs (3 pieces) with a pinch of salt, then pour in the cream.
- 14
Step 14
Whisk and pour over the pie.
- 15
Step 15
Place the Bulgarian yeast cake in a preheated 190°C oven for 45–55 minutes until a golden crust forms.
- 16
Step 16
The finished "Namestnik" is incredibly tasty right after baking and after it has cooled.