Kreatopitakia (Greek Meat Filled Triangles)

A sumptuous combination of ground meat simmered in a cinnamon perfumed tomato sauce with tangy feta cheese and surrounded by crispy, flaky layers of phyllo dough. The triangles make perfect appetizers. Use the filling in a traditional pan pita for a fantastic family meal!

This is one of my husband’s favorites, and I don’t blame him. The flavors are incredible!

Susan Tweeton

Ingredients

Filling:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef or lamb 
• 1 large onion (grated or finely chopped) 
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can.tomato paste
• 1 cup water (or ½ cup water and ½ cup red wine)
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg 
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons dried breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese or 8 ounces chopped feta cheese

Pastry Crust:

• 1 pound phyllo dough
• ½–1 pound unsalted butter or  1 cup olive oil 

Directions

Filling Preparation:

1. Sauté onion in olive oil; do not brown.
2. Brown ground beef or lamb; drain well.
3. Add browned ground meat, tomato paste, water (or water and wine), cinnamon, and nutmeg to onion mixture. 
4. Simmer about 20 minutes over medium heat; sauce will not be juicy.
5. Remove from stove; let cool for about 10 – 15 minutes.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper (do not over salt; cheese is salty).
7. Add feta or Parmesan cheese, beaten eggs, and dried breadcrumbs; mix well.

Triangle Assembly:

1. Prepare filling.
2. Thaw frozen dough at room temperature for 5 hours or in refrigerator overnight).
3. Cover phyllo sheets with a moist tea towel to prevent drying.
4. Place 1 phyllo sheet on clean work surface and brush with either oil or butter.
5. Cut buttered/oiled sheet in half.
6. Place 1 teaspoon of desired filling at bottom right hand corner of phyllo strip.
7. Fold corner over to opposite edge, making a triangle.
8. Continue folding (as you would a flag), keeping triangular shape with each fold.
9. Place each completed triangle seam side down on baking sheet.
10. Repeat with remaining filling and phyllo; brush each triangle top with melted butter.*
11. Bake at 350° for about 15–20 minutes until golden brown.

*Triangles may be frozen unbaked. When baking from frozen state, do not defrost first. Preheat oven to 350°, and bake for about 20–25 minutes until golden brown. You may have to bake them a little longer or flip them over in the oven.