A recipe for Kartofdzhyn (Kartofdjin, Cheese and Potato Bread)! This Ossetian pie is stuffed with mashed potatoes and two types of cheese.
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Eat the World
It is time again for the #EattheWorld Recipe Challenge created by Evelyne of Culture Eatz! Each month we are assigned a different country (check out some of my previous posts for Ireland, Kenya, Sweden, and Argentina) as inspiration and post on the 10th.
This month, we are celebrating Georgia. I originally made Khabizgina (ხაბიზგინა) for the event, but have since learned that the bread is actually from Ossetia and called Kartofdzhyn.
Kartofdzhyn (Ossetian Cheese and Potato Bread)
Ossetian pies (Осетинский пирог) can be filled with a variety of flavors. Today I made Kartofdzhyn, a type of cheese and potato-filled bread from Ossetia in the Caucasus Mountains.
Adapted from a recipe in Tasting Georgia, the yeast-based bread is formed into a circle and filled with grated potatoes, butter, and a mixture of sheep’s and cow’s cheese (I used a combination of feta and mozzarella). Other fillings may include herbs, cabbage, or other vegetables.
After mixing the ingredients together and kneading, the soft dough is allowed to rise in a warm spot for about 1 1/2 hours. During this time, you can prep the filling by boiling, peeling, and grating the potatoes before mixing with melted butter, and the cheese.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the risen dough into a large, thin circle. Place the filling in the center, spreading it out into a flat layer, leaving a large border around the edges. The edges are folded in to completely enclose the filling and sealed by pinching together.
The trick is to make sure you completely seal the folded edges to keep any of the filling from seeping out during baking. Check the bread for tears or holes before flipping over, seam-side down, and gently rolling or patting into a flattened, smooth circle.
Pierce the top of the bread a few times with a fork and brush with a beaten egg before transferring to a hot oven. Once baked through and golden, immediately brush with butter, slice into wedges, and serve hot.
Check out what everyone else made:
- Bernice: Fresh Herb Walnut Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Camilla: A Georgian Salad Duo: Ispanakhis Pkhali and Charkhlis Mkhali
- Tara: Kartofdzhyn (Ossetian Cheese and Potato Bread)
- Juli: Satsivi – Georgian Walnut Turkey
- Evelyne: Georgian Ajika Dry Spice Paste
- Amy: Georgian Chicken Stew with Tomatoes and Herbs [Chakhokhbili]
- Margaret: Charkhlis Chogi (Georgian Beets with Sour Cherry Sauce)
- Amy: Lobiani (Georgian Bean-Stuffed Bread) #EattheWorld
- Wendy: Khinkali (Georgian Dumplings)
- Simply Inspired Meals: Fruit Leather aka Tklapi
Kartofdzhyn (Ossetian Cheese and Potato Bread) Recipe
Adapted from Tasting Georgia
Kartofdzhyn (Ossetian Cheese and Potato Bread)
Ingredients
Bread:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk lukewarm at 105-115˚F (40-46˚C)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) yogurt room temperature
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tablespoon sour cream room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups (195 grams) bread flour
Filling:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) potatoes
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsalted butter melted
- 4 ounces (113 grams) feta cheese crumbled
- 4 ounces (113 grams) mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
Topping:
- 1 large egg beaten, for brushing
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) butter for brushing after baking
Instructions
To make the bread:
- In a small bowl, combine the milk, sugar, and yeast. Allow to rest for 10 minutes, until frothy.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough attachment or a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the yogurt, egg, sour cream, salt, and bread flour to create a smooth and slightly sticky dough.
- On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough to form a smooth and elastic ball, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat, and cover. Allow to rest in a warm spot for 1-2 hours, until puffed.
To make the filling:
- Place the unpeeled potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, add salt, and reduce heat to medium low and cover. Cook until the potatoes are tender. Drain and allow to cool enough to handle.
- Peel the potatoes and grate or mash into a mixing bowl. Fold in the melted butter, feta, and mozzarella (don’t overmix). Season to taste with salt and pepper.
To assemble:
- Preheat oven to 400˚F (200˚C). Place a pizza stone or large round baking sheet on the center rack of the oven.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the risen dough into a large, thin circle. Place the filling in the center, spreading it out into a flat layer, leaving a large border around the edges.
- Fold the edges in towards the center and seal the edges well to completely cover the filling. Flip the bread over, seam-side down, and gently pat or roll to create a smooth, stretched circle with the filling sealed inside.
- Pierce the top of the bread all over with a fork and brush with the beaten egg.
- Transfer to the stone or hot pan in the preheated oven and bake until golden, 30-40 minutes. The bread may puff, but will settle back down when removed from the oven.
- Immediately brush the top with butter. Cut into wedges and serve hot.
Juli Meyers
I love stuffed breads but havent made many, i can’t wait to try. Anything with potatoes and cheese is amazing.
Mary Bostow
Aw, this sounds soooo totally my thing…. drool…. This is a good idea and amazing recipe too. Something very unique and colorful. Need to try it out.
Julie Wallace
I always want to come to your house for dinner. This looks amazing! I always learn something from you, too – I had no idea this bread existed, and I’ve definitely been missing out! I’m drooling, seriously.
Veena Azmanov
I cant wait to try this delicious Bread. Potatoes and Cheese both are my favorite options. Surely yummy and best snack too.
Mary
Can’t go wrong with cheese bread! This looks amazing!
Krista Price
Honestly, I don’t know that I’d be able to stop after one slice. It’s like a quesadilla with bread, and I’M ALL ABOUT IT! Thanks for sharing this! I can’t wait to give it a try and eat the whole dang thing!
Evelyne
I was very tempted to make this recipe if not sick. it looks so amazing and cheesy!
Wendy Klik
I love this. We are doing cheese filled breads for Bread Bakers this month and I made my recipe tonight for dinner. I wish I had read this yesterday!!! Oh well, I”ll just have to make it for no reason other than pure enjoyment.
SallyBR
This looks absolutely amazing! that last picture showing the inside made me go weak in the knees…
I need this in my life…
Margaret@Kitchen Frau
You’ve created a work of art there. It looks like comfort food of the best kind. Not sure how you got it looking so even and good (mine would not look like that, I’m sure!) I bet it’s fantastic with that cheese inside it.
Simply Inspired Meals
This sounds really yummy and I’ve never tried a stuffed bread. I’m saving for later to give it a try!
Wanda
Oh yum! I can’t wait to try this recipe to see what the family thinks!
Maria San Juan
I can’t imagine being your daughter, I am sure I will always have adventures on food! Thank you very much for sharing!
Jere Cassidy
I have had something similar to this made by a co-worker. So glad to have your recipe so I can try this myself.
Farah Abumaizar
Stunning! Potato and cheese are a match made in heaven and this fluffy bread looks wonderful. Definitely trying this out!
cyndy
Thanks for the great step by step instructions!
Ilas
Hey! This dish is actually called “Kartofdzhyn”, and not related to Georgia. Neither of Ossetias is part of Georgia in any way, territorially or culturally. Other than that, very impressive! Although the recipe is unorthodox it no doubt came out delicious! Cheers
Tara
Hi Ilas! Thank you so much for letting me know! I first came across the recipe in a Georgian cookbook and really appreciate the correction. Will update this post.