Homemade Sambousek Pastry

Ingredients

Dough

• 3 1/2 cups flour, sifted
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup warm water for kneading
• 1 tbsp butter at room temperature
• 1 cup flour for rolling
• 1 1/2 cups cornstarch for layering
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil for layering

Fillings

• Mixed cheese
• Cheese with thyme, olives and mint
• Cheese with parsley and nigella
• Boiled grated potato with paprika, curry, salt and black pepper

Method

1. Mix the flour, salt and baking powder in a mixer, add the water gradually until a dough forms, then add the butter and rest for 15 minutes.
2. Flour the surface, divide into equal balls (about 16) and rest 10 minutes.
3. Roll each ball into a circle, turning as you roll so it stays round.
4. Brush the first circle generously with oil, dust with cornstarch, place the second on top, brush and dust, until you have 4 stacked circles. Repeat to make 4 stacks.
5. Roll out each stack with a rolling pin into a flat, even sheet.
6. Heat a pan or griddle, place each stack on it, flip to the other side then back until the layers separate. Peel them apart one by one and cover with a kitchen towel.
7. Cut into rectangles, fill and fold into triangles. Freeze what you do not need and fill what you do.
8. Heat plenty of oil and fry, turning, and serve hot.