Recipe
For the Dough:
1/4 cup of warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
4 cups of all purpose flour or bread flour (or 2 cups AP and 2 cups bread flour)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup warm water (approximately)
1/2 cup of durum flour for rolling out the dough
1 teaspoon of oil
For the Filling
8 ounces cream cheese
2 tablespoons of softened butter (room temp)
1 teaspoon freshly grated garlic
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup of frozen spinach, squeezed dry
1 cup of chopped artichokes (canned, drained)
1/4 cup of 4 different cheeses (optional, you can use 1 cup of your favorite)
1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water whisked together (egg wash)
Directions
To a small bowl or cup add the yeast and sugar to 1/4 cup of warm water. Let this sit for 10 minutes for the yeast to grow.
**Note: If the yeast does not grow, discard and start over.
To the bowl of a stand mixer add the flour, salt, apple cider vinegar and honey. Mix to combine.
Add in the yeast mix. Continue mixing.
Gradually add in the 1 cup of warm water a little at a time. You will add water until the dough releases from the bowl and it is NOT sticky to touch, BUT still soft.
**Note: A neat trick is to add for example. 3 1/4 cups of flour and after adding the water, add the remaining flour a tablespoon at a time. This helps to balance the water and flour ration so you do not over knead the dough making it hard.
Rub the dough with oil and cover with a damp paper towel. Place in a warm place to rice for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Meanwhile, lets work on our filling.
To a large bowl, add the softened cream cheese, butter, garlic and cayenne pepper. Whip or mix until creamy.
Using a spoon fold in the spinach, artichokes and cheeses.
Place in the fridge to chill until ready to use.
Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Dust your board or counter that you are going to roll your dough out on with the durum flour.
**Note: There are a few ways to do this. You can either roll out the entire dough and cut out circles or you can make small round golf size balls and roll it out individually. No wrong way.
What you need is to eventually have 1/4 in round discs.
Fill each rolled out disc with about 2 tablespoons of filling. Fold over one side of the dough and press with a form to seal tightly.
Place on a cookie sheet that is dusted with more durum flour.
Use the egg wash to baste the tops of each mini pie.
Place in the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
Be careful when biting into these right out of the oven!
**Note: You can basically use any filling for this. If you are not into the whole no meat thing, then just add your favorite meat filling.
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