Tiropita, Melina's Greek pita with a sweet twist

Today let me introduce you to Melina, a traveler, food blogger, tiropita lover, and author of the cookbook, "My Fillo Cookbook". Melina is not your ordinary food enthusiast - she is obsessed with all things fillo (aka filo, phyllo dough) and loves experimenting with flavors to create unique Greek pie "pita" recipes. 

Melina is especially inspired through her travels. Last year, on the beautiful Aegean island of Skiathos, Melina had the opportunity to learn the art of rolling traditional Skiathos pites from the one and only Ms. Dafni of Dafnis Bakery. Since then, Melina has been on a roll, quite literally, creating her own rolled spiral pites with a variety of fillings, from sweet to savory.

Recently, Melina discovered the famous Chios mandarin, a game-changer in her pita culinary explorations, and then she knew exactly what she was going to create. Her newest recipe with it is a favorite of mine, a mouthwatering combination of sweet and savory in the form of Tiropita!

What is Greek Tiropita?

Tiropita, or tyropita, is a traditional Greek pastry filled with a delicious mixture of cheese and fresh herbs. I know very few people who don't like tiropita, for it's a classic snack and appetizer that also makes for a wonderful lunch or dinner. You might be familiar with the layered version, with thin sheets of fillo dough on the top and bottom, but you have to try the rolled strifti version (which actually means "twisted" in Greek), a spiral-shaped pie with a delicious balance of crispy fillo and flavorful filling. 

Unleashing Melina's Creativity

Melina loves to put her own spin on traditional recipes, and tiropita is no exception. With the addition of Citrus Chios Tangerine Spoon Sweet, made with that unique Chios Mandarin, she takes this classic dish to a whole new level. The tangy citrus notes perfectly complement the richness of the cheese, creating a delicious blend of sweet and savory.

If you're feeling adventurous and want to make your own fillo dough from scratch, go ahead and channel your inner Greek baker. But if you prefer a shortcut, Melina recommends using store-bought fillo dough. Look for the #10 variety, and you'll be good to go.

Whether you're hosting a Greek-themed party or simply want to treat yourself to something extraordinary, Sweet meets Savory Tiropita with Chios mandarin is a must-try. It's a delightful combination that will make your taste buds happy!

Creating the Perfect Sweet & Savory Tiropita

Ingredients for Melina's Tiropita

One box of Fillo #10

8oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese at room temperature 

1½ lb crumbled Feta cheese

8 oz Farmers Cheese *unsalted* or whole milk ricotta 

2 tbs thick Greek Yogurt 

1 egg

I jar Citrus Chios Tangerine Peel Spoon Sweet - you'll just use the fruit so drain the syrup, keeping it as a delicious natural sweetener in baking and for tea

½ stick melted butter mixed + ¾ cup Oleosophia Olive Oil for brushing

How to make a sweet & savory tiropita

Preheat your oven to 350⁰.

To make your filling, mix in a large bowl the cheeses, egg and yogurt.

Roll your dough out to a 14-inch circle for one large tiropita or, if using storebought fillo, make individual tiropitas, using 2 sheets for each one.

Brush the fillo lightly with the butter & olive oil mix. 

Drop teaspoon-sized dollops of the filling throughout the dough and top them with a piece of the tangerine peel (see the picture above). 

Start rolling the dough, brushing lightly with the butter & oil mix as you roll it up into a long rope. Then coil it into a spiral shape, like a little snail shell, and place on a baking sheet, brushing the top with the butter & oil.

Repeat with the rest of your fillo sheets & filling.

Bake at 350⁰ for approximately 20-30 min until golden brown. Let cool before serving & enjoy!

Buy the Zelos products in the sweet & savory tiropita