chanian bougasta (Greece)

Bougasta, Μπουγάτσα, is a traditional Cretan breakfast pastry made from filo dough, filled with cheese, and topped with sugar and cinnamon.  

In Chania it's made with a local cheese called Mizithra which is only available on the island. In northern Greece it's filled with custard, so tastes very different.

One of the reasons I love that I have taken a Mejo Travel Journal with me on all my trips is because when I look back through them, I find all sorts of fun memories and facts about the country that I'd forgotten. Like my note on the right page:

 "1.5 million olive trees in Crete!" 

I haven't been able to find Mizithra in the USA yet, so am using a combo of feta and ricotta to replicate its flavor. 

Ingredient List

• 1 cup of feta cheese
• 1 cup of ricotta cheese
• 1 beaten egg
• 3 tablespoons fine semolina flour
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 6 sheets of phyllo dough
• olive oil
• sugar for sprinkling
• cinnamon for sprinkling

Notes

Watch the video below to get an idea of how to put it together

Prep

Preheat the oven to 350°

Line large baking tray with parchment paper

Cheese Filling

Mash feta and ricotta together

Mix in egg, semolina flour, and milk

Prep Phyllo

Place 1 sheet of phyllo on parchment on tray. Drizzle with olive oil. Place another sheet over it and drizzle with more oil. Repeat this process for a total of six sheets

Fill & Fold

Fill with cheese mixture and fold phyllo over to create a sort of envelope / package

Bake & Serve

Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, cut into bite sized squares, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Enjoy!