Cotton-Dough Pies

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm full-fat milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup full-fat yogurt
• 2 cups sifted flour
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• + 4 cups sifted flour
• This delicious recipe for fluffy pies is from a friend of the Shou Tabbikhin El Youm site:
• Diyala Tannous Nakhoul

Method

1. First, combine the warm milk with the sugar, yeast, and baking powder. Whisk well with a hand whisk and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
   Timers: 5 min
2. Then add the yogurt and the 2 cups of sifted flour to the yeast mixture and mix well.
3. After about 10 minutes, add the olive oil and salt, then the remaining flour gradually. The amount of flour depends on the type of flour and what the dough needs, so add it carefully as needed.
   Timers: 10 min
4. Knead the mixture well until you get a smooth dough. Coat it with olive oil, cover it well with kitchen plastic wrap, then with a thick cloth to keep it warm for about 1 hour.
   Timers: 60 min
5. After the required time, shape the dough and fill it as desired with cheese, thyme, chocolate, or any other filling. Cover the pies with a cloth and let them rest for about 15 minutes before baking.
   Timers: 15 min
6. After baking, place the pastries on a towel and cover them with another towel or cloth so the dough stays soft.