Dziva is a unique airy and fluffy banitsa (cheese pie) prepared with homemade leavened dough. It is a cultural symbol of Popovyane village.
Ingredients:
- 1kg white wheat flour (sifted twice)
- 6 eggs (1 yolk reserved for brushing)
- ~400ml milk (added gradually)
- 3 tbsp yogurt
- 1 cube fresh yeast (~40g) or 1 packet dry yeast (11g)
- 1 heaping tbsp sugar
- 1 heaping tbsp salt
- 3-4 tbsp oil or melted lard
- For brushing and sprinkling: 100g melted butter or lard, 400g crumbled cheese
Instructions:
- Activate the yeast.
- Knead soft, non-sticky dough with all ingredients. Let rise for about 1 hour.
- Divide risen dough into 7 or 8 equal balls. Roll each ball into a thin sheet.
- Brush each sheet with melted fat and sprinkle with cheese. Arrange the sheets rolled like roses in a spiral in a greased pan.
- Let the assembled dziva rise in the pan for another 20-30 minutes.
- Bake in preheated oven at 180-200°C for about 40 minutes until golden. Brush with butter after removing from oven and cover with a cloth to soften.
