*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                    KHACHAPURI (GEORGIAN CHEESE PIE)

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 8    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Russian                          Cheese/eggs
               Vegetables

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  2 1/2   c            Unbleached All Purpose Flour
    3/4   ts           Salt
  1       lg           Egg
  3       tb           Vegetable Oil
    1/2   c            Club Soda -- Or More If Needed
                       -, At Room Temperature
 12       tb           Unsalted (Sweet) Butter
                       - 1 1/2 Sticks, Melted
                       -----RED BEAN FILLING-----
                       -----NACHINKA IZ FASOLI-----
  1       c            Dried Red Beans -- Soaked
                       -Overnight In Water To Cover
                       Salt And Plenty Of Freshly
                       -Ground Black Pepper -- To
                       -Taste
    1/4   c            Olive Oil
  1 1/4   c            Onions -- Finely Chopped
    1/2   c            Cilantro -- Finely Chopped

 Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl and make a
 well in the middle. Pour in the egg, oil, and club
 soda and stir into the flour, adding more club soda if
 necessary, ot make a rather soft dough.  Transfer the
 dough to a floured board and knead until smooth and
 elastic, about 10 minutes. Shape the dough into a
 ball, cover with a linen or cotton (not terry cloth)
 kitchen towel and let stand for 1 hour.  Divide the
 dough into four parts and shape each one into a ball.
 Let stand, covered, for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven
 to 350 Degrees F. and butter two large baking sheets.
 On a floured surface, roll out one of the balls into
 an 1/8-inch thick square. Brush the dough with some of
 the melted butter  Dip your fingers into the melted
 butter and pull the edges of the dough in different
 directions, stretching it evenly until it is almost
 transparently thin. Don't worry if the dough tears, as
 you will be folding it up.  With a sharp knife, trim
 the edges of the dough to from an even square.  Fold
 the square in half, brush the surface generously with
 the melted d fold in half again crosswise to from a
 smaller square.  It should be approximately 6 to 7
 inches. It is isn't, pull it out slightly to fit the
 dimensions. Brush the square with butter.  Shape
 one-fourth of the filling into a ball and place in the
 center of the square.  Fold in the corners of the
 square like an envelope. With the palm of your hand,
 flatten the pie so it is about 1 inch thick. Brush the
 top with melted butter and carefully transfer to a
 prepared baking sheet.  Repeat the procedure with the
 rest of the dough and filling. Bake the pies in the
 middle of the oven, until golden brown, about 35
 minutes.  Serve warm.

 Makes 4 Pies for 8 Servings

 RED BEAN FILLING:

 Drain the beans and place them in a saucepan along
 with enough fresh water to cover by at least 2-inches.
 Bring to a boil and add salt, then reduce the heat to
 medium-low.  Cook the beans, partially covered, until
 almost mushy, about 1 1/2 hours.  While the beans are
 cooking, heat the oil in a medium size skillet, over
 medium heat, and add the onion to saute it. Stir
 occasionally, until dark brown, about 15 to 20
 minutes.  When the beans are done, drain well and
 mash.  Add the sauteed onions and their cooking fat
 and the cilantro.  Season generously with salt and
 freshly ground black pepper.  Cool to room temperature.

 Makes enough filling for 4 pies.



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