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This Placinte Recipe comes from a Moldavian woman who shared the recipe with my mom years back. Placinte are round cheese-filled fried pastries. 

My mother has made these so many times and they’ve even got requested! There is no yeast involved so rising time is not needed. Fill this with apples, cabbage or other soft cheeses.The feta and Mozzarella filling is my favorite and if your concerned about the saltiness, I have a little tip down below in how to mellow out the salt from feta cheese. These are a favorite!

What is Placinte?

Placinte is a round flat bread that is commonly stuffed with cheese. It is typically leavened with baking soda or baking powder and contains no yeast. It is recognized in the Romanian, Ukrainian and Moldovan Culture.

What is Brinza?

My family used to call these Brinza, but after a Moldavian friend told me Brinza means Feta Cheese, that changed in how I call these now. Placinte would be the correct named for these cheese-filled cakes.

Whats the best way to re-heat placinte?

Placinte are best fresh. However, to maintain a crisp crust re-heat in a toaster oven for the best results.

How to make Feta Cheese Less Saltier:

Remove feta cheese from the brine and soak in milk for 24 hours. 

Placinta Fillings:

  • apples
  • cheese
  • cabbage
  • potatoes
  • ricotta
  • dill
  • raisins
  • Chocolate

Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, Feta Cheese Recipes

Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, Feta Cheese Recipes

Ingredients for Placinte Recipe:

ingredients-for Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, Feta Cheese Recipes

How to make Placinte Recipe (Moldavian Brinza):

1. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 1/2 cups of flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Then stir in the egg, buttermilk, milk and 3 tbsp of oil until dough comes together (dough should be tacky.) Knead in remaining 1/2 cup of flour until a soft dough forms.

placinta-dough step 1-3

2. Next, divide the dough into 8 balls, using a 1/2 cup measuring scoop for even shapes.

Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, Feta Cheese Recipes Step 4

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece of dough to a 9″ circle. Place 1 cup of the cheese blend in the center and fold in the edges, pinching them to the top. Gently roll out again to an 8″ circle and fry over med-low heat until golden (about 2 min on each side.)

Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, Step 5

Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, step 6

Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, Feta Cheese Recipes step 7

how-to-roll-out-placinte- step 7

Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, step 8

Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, Feta Cheese Recipes

Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, Feta Cheese Recipes

Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, Feta Cheese Recipes

Placinta recipe, Placinte, Brinza, Feta Cheese Recipes

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Placinte Recipe (Brinza)

5 from 5 votes
By: Alyona's Cooking
This Placinte Recipe comes from a Moldavian woman who shared the recipe with my mom years back. Placinte are round cheese-filled fried pastries. 
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8 cakes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Moldavian, Romanian, Ukrainian

Ingredients 

Placinte dough:

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1/2 cup canola oil , or any oil for frying

Placinte Cheese Filling:

  • 3 cups feta cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, finely shredded

Instructions

How to make Placinta:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together 4 cups of flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the egg, buttermilk, milk, and 3 tbsp of oil until dough comes together. Knead in the remaining 1/2 cup of flour gradually until a soft dough forms.
  • Divide the dough into 8 balls, using a 1/2 cup measuring scoop for even shapes.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece of dough to a 9" circle. Place 1 cup of the cheese blend in the center and fold in the edges, pinching them to the top. Gently roll out again to an 8" circle and fry over med-low heat until golden (about 2 min on each side.)

Nutrition (per serving)

1cake Serving675kcal Calories53g Carbs23g Protein40g Fat14g Saturated Fat98mg Cholesterol1238mg Sodium274mg Potassium1g Fiber5g Sugar555IU Vitamin A527mg Calcium3.5mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Placinte Recipe (Brinza)
Serving Size
 
1 cake
Amount per Serving
Calories
675
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
40
g
62
%
Saturated Fat
 
14
g
88
%
Cholesterol
 
98
mg
33
%
Sodium
 
1238
mg
54
%
Potassium
 
274
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
53
g
18
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Protein
 
23
g
46
%
Vitamin A
 
555
IU
11
%
Calcium
 
527
mg
53
%
Iron
 
3.5
mg
19
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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