Momma J’s Cheese Fatayer (Rustic Phyllo Cheese Pie)

Ingredients

• 1 lb feta cheese, crumbled into small pea-sized pieces
• Optional: ½ cup cottage cheese
• Optional: ½ cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 package phyllo dough, thawed
• ½–¾ cup melted butter
• Sesame seeds or nigella seeds, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly butter a baking dish.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cheese(s), parsley, paprika, and beaten egg.
3. Place one sheet of phyllo dough in the prepared baking dish, allowing the edges to come up the sides. Gently scrunch additional sheets of phyllo and layer them over the base.
4. Brush the phyllo generously with melted butter.
5. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the phyllo.
6. Add another layer of scrunched phyllo sheets and brush again with melted butter followed by another layer of the cheese mixture.
7. Finish with a final layer of scrunched phyllo and brush the top generously with melted butter.
8. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or nigella seeds.
9. Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the phyllo is deeply golden and crisp.
10. Let cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

Yield: 8–10 servings.

Sahtain Nunu Tip: Don’t worry about making the phyllo look perfect—the crinkled, rustic layers create irresistible crispy edges and a light, flaky texture in every bite.