Cookerati

I’ve been trying to experiment with phyllo dough (fillo) but it’s not easy for me to work with.  I feel as though I’m sprinting through the process in order to keep the filo from drying out.  The results however make it a worthwhile treat.  The more you do it, the easier it gets and the better the results.  I tried banana and peanut butter, but it came out heavy.  The bananas and cream are less heavy and taste very good, but whatever you do let it cool for a while before serving as it will burn your tongue if you don’t.  ( Yes, we know this from experience).

Ingredients:

• 3 bananas
• 1 small carton (5.3)oz greek yogurt with honey
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbs butter
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts
• 1 tbs cornstarch
• 9 sheets fillo factory organic whole wheat fillo dough
• melted butter
• melted semi sweet chocolate

Combine 2 bananas, yogurt, cinnamon and nutmeg in the food processor and give it a whirl.  Meanwhile in a small pan, melt the butter.  Slice up the third banana and saute in the butter, add the hazelnuts.  When the  bananas are soft and the hazelnuts semi toasty, add in the yogurt mixture.  Stir in the cornstarch and warm until dissolved and thick.

Here’s where we start sprinting. 

I take out three sheets at at time, place on a tray with a wet towel covering the sheets.  One by one, I remove the towel, take out a sheet, recover with the towel.  Place the sheet on another tray and brush with melted butter. Stack the next one on top, brush with butter then do the third. 

There should be 3 stacked, buttered fillo sheets.  I mentally divide the sheet into five strips, then cut off the first strip going through all three layers.  Place between 2tsps and a tbs  on the end of the strip and flag fold it all the way to the end.  Brush both sides with butter and place on a cookie sheet. 

Do this with 3 sets of 3 fillo sheets, you should end up with 15 turnovers.  Bake in the oven at 350 until brown and slightly crispy. 

Melt chocolate and drizzle over top.  Let cool before serving or you will burn your mouth.

This dessert isn’t really sweet, except for the small amount of honey in the yogurt.  You could probably substitute regular greek yogurt and add a tsp or two of honey if you desire to the cream mixture. Sprinkling with powdered sugar is also another great idea.