The word phyllo, or filo if you are Greek means leaf. It is no wonder as phyllo pastry is paper thin and when layered up resembles leaves. It is an unleavened dough that is traditionally used for making baklava. Usually the pastry is brushed with olive oil before baking, but I prefer to use butter.
Head straight on to the recipe for Phyllo Pastry ♥
My blog is an ever evolving project. I am constantly working on the look and feel of the posts. For someone who is quite particular about everything looking the same, this is a challenge. I know once I get the format the way I like it, I will keep it the same way for a long time. This is the one bonus of having my own space in which to be creative. I can change things when I want to and not worry about a boss telling me I have to leave it alone. I can remember having coffee with a friend who writes a column for a local magazine. She had been told that the articles she wrote had to change. At that stage she was writing a full page of an anecdotal story.
Today’s inspiration ♥ Recipe For Phyllo Pastry ♥ can be found on Lavender and Lime Share on X
But as the magazine is for foodies, she was told she had to change her monthly story to include a recipe. For people who know her well, this is quite amusing as she is not a cook. She would rather eat than make anything from scratch. I know a lot of people, chefs included who would not consider making phyllo pastry themselves. This is one product that is readily available in supermarkets around the world. But, I find that when I buy it I use a sheet or two and the rest get stuck into the freezer. Next time I need to use the pastry the ends have started to crumble. I always thought filo pastry would be difficult to make, but it is so easy. This recipe will make one generous sheet or the equivalent of 2 store bought ones.
Click on the links for conversions and notes.
Phyllo Pastry
Ingredients
- 100 g bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 pinch fine salt
- 7.5 mls olive oil
- 40 mls warm water
- Cornflour for dusting
Method
- Place the flour, salt and olive oil into a bowl
- Add the water a little at a time, until the dough comes together
- Turn out onto a lightly dusted surface and knead to develop the gluten
- If you find you need slightly more water, just wet your hands and continue kneading
- Shape into a rectangle and cover with cling film
- Place into the fridge to rest for an hour
- Dust the dough with cornflour
- Roll through your pasta machine on the widest setting 5 times to laminate the dough
- Stretch the dough by hand or use a rolling pin until as thin as you can get it
Notes
What I blogged August 15:
- three years ago – White Chocolate Pavlova
- four years ago – The Collection, James Martin
- five years ago – Tomato Chicken Curry
I have never attempted making phyllo before – didn’t think it was quite so easy.
Have a wonderful Monday Tandy.
🙂 Mandy xo
It really is that easy!
On our recent trip to Turkey and Greece I set being able to roll phyllo pastry and gozleme dough like how the locals do as a goal when we returned. Haven’t quite got it yet but betting there. Most of the locals buy it too now but I agree, most gets wasted.
It is so easy and I am sure with practice I could get it thinner. So much fun to do 🙂
You know what surprises me most here, is how easy it is to make phyllo dough! I feel like when you see bloggers post recipes that incorporate phyllo dough, they always say….just purchase from the store. And when you make it so easy I’m wonderful why!!!! Will be trying this. Anyhow. Did you see the South African runner who beat Michael Johnson’s record last night in the Olympics. Oh my, he was AMAZING!!!! We were so happy for him and were blown away with his 74 year old coach. WONDERFUL. What a great team and so inspirational!!!!!!!
Laura, I wish I could share this reply with Wayde somehow! He is an amazing young man. He has donated R500 000 to our local hospital for their neo-natal ward. Isn’t that even more special than his run xox
Hi Tandy, yes we are very lucky to be able to be as creative as we want. Most of the time that seems easy other times a chore.
Love phyllo, pinned!
You have that spot on Cheri, and thanks for the pin 🙂
I have heard a few famous chefs say to never name your own pastry, as the stuff you can buy is just as good. But, I would still love to give it a try myself.
I really thinking making your own is better 🙂
Home made filo is surprisingly easy to make. Having said that I must admit that I rarely make it and often buy it. I love home made puff pastry though! 😀
Home made puff is way easier to work with than store bought 🙂
I certainly wouldn’t ever have wanted to give filo pastry a try but this looks so good Tandy you may have just changed my mind!
I hope you attempt this 🙂
Making phyllo has been on my bucket list for some time…one day. But glad to see great results! So what did you put inside, it looks so good? And yes, butter all the way.
It is a mushroom filling, recipe will be on the blog soon 🙂
I do like a piece of baclava. sadly the waist line does not! looks so good
I am going to make baklava for the first time soon!
WOAH! I would have never thought to make my own phyllo. Great post!
I hope you give it a go Sarah 🙂
I hear you on the wasted, dry, stuck together commercial filo but had also avoided it because it looked complicated. The use of the pasta machine is pure genius!
I hope you give this a try Fiona 🙂
Yum!! Thanks for the recipe!
my pleasure 🙂