transylvanian cabbage pie

a delicious weekend treat

the lichiu (or pie) is famous in Transylvania and can be either sweet, a mixture of crème fraiche, eggs, cheese and/or fruits, or savoury, filled with cheese, onions or cabbage.

Today I am making the savoury version with cabbage for my daughter, Mara.

Enjoy!

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transylvanian cabbage pie

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Ingredients

Dough:

• 450g all purpose flour

• 70g unsalted butter, pork lard or vegetable oil

• 220ml full fat milk

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp dry yeast

Filling:

• 450g all purpose flour

• 70g unsalted butter, pork lard or vegetable oil

• 220ml full fat milk

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp dry yeast

Extra

• 1 egg for egg wash on the top layer

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Method

Make the filling:

1. If using a whole cabbage, remove the core and slice it finely.

2. Sprinkle 2tsp of salt on the cabbage and massage it in with your hands, until it softens slightly.

3. Next, squeeze as much of the liquid out as you can, either using your hands or a strainer.

4. Heat the oil in a large pan and sauté the cabbage for 15 to 20 min, or until all the liquid has evaporated. Keep a lid on it, and stir from time to time to prevent it burning.

5. Add black pepper and extra salt, according to taste.

6. If the cabbage is not fully cooked yet, add a bit more water and cook with the lid off, until softened. Remember to stir every now and then to prevent it burning.

7. Leave the cabbage to cool before using as filling for the pie.

Make the dough:

1. Knead all the dough ingredients together for 15 min.

2. Leave the dough to rise in a warm place until it doubles, around 1 hour.

3. Divide the dough into two and shape them into spheres.

4. Dust with flour, cover with a cloth and leave them to rest for 15 minutes. We’ll make two pie dough sheets.

5. On a floured counter, place one piece of the dough, sprinkle with flour and roll it out in a rectangular shape, 0.5cm thin.

6. Repeat step 5 with the second piece of dough.

Assemble the pie:

1. With the help of the rolling pin, transfer the first dough sheet to the tray and pierce it few times with a fork.

2. Put the cabbage filling on top, spreading it evenly.

3. Cover with the second piece of the dough. Using a fork, pierce the surface few times.

4. Preheat an oven to 200C.

5. Place the pie in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 50 min, or until golden brown.

6. Beat the egg and brush it on the surface of the pie, then continue baking the pie for another 5 minutes.

Eat the pie either hot or cold.

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