The Story Behind My Recipe: Greece

"This recipe originates from Albania, specifically from the southern region, and has been passed down through generations in my family. My mother, Marina, learned to cook it from her grandmother, and it has always held a special place in her heart. As a child, she fondly remembers this pie being her favorite, as it uniquely combines sweet and salty flavors.

The key ingredients are tomatoes and onions, which lend a natural sweetness to the pie, while feta cheese adds a savory touch. Whenever my mother prepares this dish, it evokes nostalgic memories of her childhood and her beloved grandmother. It also symbolizes summer for her, as traditionally, tomatoes were scarce in winter, making this pie a seasonal treat enjoyed during the warmer months."

Tomato pie

Ingredients

For the filling

2 kg Tomatoes
1 kg Onions
800g Feta cheese
1 Egg
Salt
Pepper
Olive oil

For the filo pastry

700g Flour
1 cup Water
1 tablespoon Salt
1 tablespoon Vinegar

Procedure

Place the tomatoes in warm water for five minutes, then remove them one by one and peel off the skin.
Chop the tomatoes into small pieces.
Clean and chop the onions.
Heat olive oil in a pot, then sauté the onions until they are slightly softened but not browned.
Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot, season with salt, pepper, and a little oregano, and let them simmer until they form a thick sauce. Set aside to cool.
Mix together flour, water, a tablespoon of olive oil, and salt to make the dough.
Knead the dough and let it rest for 5 minutes.
Mix the cooled tomato and onion mixture with crumbled feta cheese and one beaten egg.
Roll out the dough to fit the bottom of a greased baking dish.
Place a layer of dough in the baking dish, then add another layer on top.
Spoon the filling mixture onto the dough layers, repeating the process until all the filling and dough layers are used up. Aim for about 8 layers of dough in total to avoid making the pie too thick.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, using both the top and bottom heat settings.
Bake the pie in the preheated oven for approximately 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.