Tiropitas

Tiropitas are a greek appetizer that is loaded with 3 types of cheese and incased in a flaky phyllo crust.  I have made this recipe 3 times for different parties and each time they were eaten up as fast as I could bake them.  This cheesy appetizer works great because you can make them ahead and freeze them.  This allows you to free up your time the day of a big party.  I just made these for my nieces graduation party and they were a big hit with the kids, adults and all the grandparents.

Tiropitas:
Makes:  45 tiropitas
Pre-Heat Oven:  375 degrees

2 green onions, finely diced
1 tablespoon butter, melted
9 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 # crumbled feta
15 oz. ricotta
4 cups shredded gruye cheese
1 tablespoon fresh dill weed, finely chopped
2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh pepper
1.  Place all the above ingredients into a mixer with a paddle attachment and mix for 3 minutes or until all the ingredients have been incorporated.

Assembling the Tiropitas:
1 box phyllo dough
1 stick butter, melted

1.  Melt the butter in a small microwaveable bowl in the microwave for 1 minute or until it has melted.
2.  Lay the thawed phyllo dough on a clean work surface.  Place one sheet of phyllo dough on the counter and butter the sheet with a pastry brush. Repeat until you have 3 buttered sheets of phyllo on top of each other.  Cut the phyllo sheets with a sharp knife, 3 inches apart giving you 4 different strips length wise.
3.  Place 1 scoop of filling,  about 1 tablespoon, on the right side of the bottom of the strip.  Begin to fold the strip diagonally  all the way to the top of the strip.  Seal the edge with butter to the filling is sealed in the middle of the phyllo dough. (If you are going to freeze these and cook them later, place the tiropitas in a container that is lined with parchment paper.  Fill the container and freeze up to 2 weeks).
4.  Bake the tiropitas on a baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Watch them carefully because they will burn very easily because of all the butter.  (If the tiropitas are frozen, place them on a baking sheet from the frozen state.  You will have to increase the cooking time by just a few minutes).

Tiropitas