Cheese-based pastries and pies, in various shapes and forms, are a staple throughout the Middle East. They’re eaten either at breakfast with a cup of tea, or as a snack by school children who stop by their local bakery when school lets out to grab a bite with friends before each goes home for dinner with their families. 

The trick to a good cheese pie simply comes down to good ingredients and a sprinkling of pungent herbs. Za’atar makes any savory pie better, but za’atar makes cheese pies seem absolutely decadent! We like combining ricotta and feta cheese together to combine the briny saltiness of the feta with the almost cream-like taste of a fresh ricotta cheese. We add green olives to add more flavor and bring in another ingredient that often accompanies cheese in the Middle East. Black olives won’t impart the same flavor, but if you prefer black olives, those would work also. 

Similar to a Greek cheese tiropita pie, this cheese puff pastry pie is a regular on the dinner table, oftentimes served as a side during gatherings in Ramadan. Some add nigella seeds, some add mint, but we love using our za’atar. You can make this a whole meal by adding a fresh green side salad dressed with a simple lemon, olive oil and sumac dressing.