Tutmanik

Ingredients

• •3 1/2 cups flour
• •1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) yeast
• •1 tsp sugar
• •1 tsp salt
• •1 1/4 cups warm water
• •2 tbsp vegetable oil
• •10 oz sirene (Bulgarian white brined cheese), crumbled
• •1 cup plain yogurt
• •3 eggs
• •6 tbsp melted butter

Steps

1. 1.Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. 2.Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl, add the yeast mixture and oil, and knead for about 8 minutes until you have a smooth, elastic dough. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
3. 3.Meanwhile, mash the crumbled sirene with the yogurt and 2 of the eggs to make a smooth filling.
4. 4.Punch down the dough and divide into several pieces. Stretch or roll each piece thin, brush with melted butter, spread with the cheese filling, then fold or roll it up and place in a buttered baking pan - it's this layering of thin dough, butter, and filling, not a single thick crust, that gives tutmanik its characteristic flaky pull-apart texture.
5. 5.Repeat until all the dough and filling are used, arranging the pieces snugly in the pan. Brush the top with the remaining beaten egg.
6. 6.Let rest for 15-20 minutes, then bake at 400°F for 30-35 minutes until deep golden brown. Brush with any remaining melted butter as soon as it comes out of the oven.
7. 7.Let cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm, traditionally with ayran or tea.