Tyrompiskota (pronounced Tee-roh-mpi-SKOH-tah) literally mean cheese biscuits. I made them based on other shortbread cookies I have made in the past by adding cheese and spices.
Tyrini Sunday (Cheesefare or Forgiveness Sunday) is celebrated the last day before the Easter fasting period which also marks the end of the carnival.
Therefore, no meat is eaten but during the whole week before Tyrini.
It is a tradition to eat anything with dairy products, especially cheese and eggs in order to prepare for the great Lent.
In Cyprus the last day before the fasting for Christmas (14th November) and Tyrini, before Easter are called “sikoses”.
Sikoses, from the verb σηκώνω = sikono, which means “to lift” because it is the last day of “Apokries” or carnival, which both mean, abstaining from eating meat.
In this case “sikoses” means lifting non-Lenten food from our tables.
On this day it is a tradition in our house to make Cypriot Ravioles, as my mother did and I continue the tradition because my family love them and who wouldn’t love hand made pasta, filled with halloumi and mint?
How to make Tyrompiskota
I made these tyrompiskota (cheese cookies) two years ago again on Tyrini, which is today.
They are very easy to make and taste amazing.
I added two of my favourite cheeses, halloumi and graviera and a combination of various spices and herbs on top, which made them disappear in no time.
These cookies are ideal with a cup of coffee or tea but also with a cold beer or a glass of wine.
They are very versatile so the combination of cheeses can vary by adding kefalotyri, kefalograviera, kaskavalli, ladotyri Mytilinis or other hard cheeses and spices which you like best.
Tyrini Sunday with Tyrompiskota (Cheesy Savoury Cookies)
Tyrompiskota, literally mean cheese biscuits. They are shortbread cookies made with two kinds of cheese (halloumi and graviera) and spices.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup grated halloumi
- ½ cup graviera
- 1 egg yolk
- Cold water optional
Spices:
- My spice Mixture
- Fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- Flaxseeds
- Oregano and thyme
Instructions
- Put both cheeses and 1 cup of flour and salt in a bowl and mix to combine.
- Add butter and mix with your hands.
- Add the egg yolk, mix and then add the remaining half cup of flour gradually until the dough holds together. If necessary add some cold water, a tablespoon at a time until the dough holds together.
- Make it into a roll, wrap in cling film and refrigerate for half an hour.
- Cut them into thin slices with a sharp knife. Place them on parchment paper, sprinkle tops with spices and refrigerate again.
- Preheat oven to 180 o C / 350 o F and bake for 15 – 20 minutes until firm and lightly browned around edges.
- When you can handle them, remove cookies to a wire rack to cool
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Information
Yield 20 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 87Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 24mgSodium 56mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 2g
"These values are automatically calculated and offered for guidance only. Their accuracy is not guaranteed."
Tyrini Sunday Recipes
Here are some creations of mine with cheese:
Dakos Savoury Greek Cheesecake
A savoury cheesecake I made during Christmas, based on the Greek Cretan recipe for Dakos.
Bourekia me Freskia Anari - Pastries with Fresh Anari Cheese
Boureki (plural bourekia) is a type of pastry made of a thin flaky dough known as phyllo and are filled with anari (anthotyros or myzithra, as it is known in Greece), which is similar to ricotta.
Moustokouloura with Fresh Grape Juice and Anthotyros
Moustokouloura cookies can be made either with fresh grape juice or grape molasses. They are perfect as a snack or for breakfast!
Chicken Tortellini Carbonara
This chicken tortellini is a Greek-style carbonara as we add cream and yoghurt to the sauce.
Turkey Ravioli with leftovers
These Turkey Ravioli are made with homemade phyllo, stuffed with leftover roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cheese and other ingredients.
Tyropitari
Tyropitari pronounced Tee-rho-pee-TAH-ree, is a homemade Greek pastry filled with feta cheese and deep fried, which is served as an appetizer.
Tyropita with Kourou Phyllo
Tyropita Kourou is a cheese pie made with a type of phyllo made with butter and yoghurt, which I would describe somewhat like tart dough.
Cypriot Muffins in Phyllo Cases
Halloumi Muffins are based on my Kypriaki Tyropita (a savoury halloumi cake) but made in muffin tins which are lined with phyllo pastry.
Greek Creased Cheese Pie (Patsavouropita)
Creased Cheese Pie is a different Greek pie called Patsavouropita (pronounced. pah-tsah-vou-RHO-pee-ta), which is very easy to make and tastes amazing. This Greek pie is made by creasing each phyllo sheet and dipping it in a batter made with soda water, eggs and feta.
Flaounes (Cypriot Easter Cheese filled Bread)
Flaounes pr. flah-OU-ness (singular flaouna) is a traditional Cypriot Easter cheese bread made with an aromatic yeasted phyllo dough, filled with a special Cypriot cheese, called Pafitiko, made during the Easter period especially for flaounes, flavoured with Masticha (mastic resin), mahlepi (mahleb) and mint.
PIN FOR LATER
Kopiaste and Kali Orexi,
Jean
Saturday 3rd of March 2012
Looks like a very intesting recipe. I always like to eat these type of savory cookies, and the cheese makes it all the more delectable.
-Jean
Simona
Saturday 3rd of March 2012
We were on the same wavelength: we both made savory cookies. I like the various toppings.
5 Star Foodie
Wednesday 29th of February 2012
The Cheesy Savory Cookies sound scrumptious how fun to experiment with different herb/spice toppings!
Juliana
Tuesday 28th of February 2012
Ivy, I can almost taste this savory cookies melting in my mouth...love the herbs and the cheese of course. Great to serve when you have guest. Thanks for this delicious recipe and hope you are having a wonderful week :)
Caffettiera
Tuesday 28th of February 2012
These would be way to dangerous to have around. I cannot resist savoury biscuits, and these look scrumptious.