Filo Pastry with Cheese

Name: Filo Pastry with Cheese (M’tabbaq)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Palestinian
Ingredients: 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) soft white sheep’s cheese (unsalted or desalinated), or mozzarella; 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) soft white sheep’s cheese (unsalted or desalinated), or mozzarella; 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) soft white sheep’s cheese (unsalted or desalinated), or mozzarella; 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) soft white sheep’s cheese (unsalted or desalinated), or mozzarella; 150 g (5½ oz) butter, melted, plus extra for greasing; 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) ultra-thin filo (phyllo) pastry; Crushed pistachios, to serve; 400 g (2 cups) sugar; 1 small cinnamon stick; 1 tbsp lemon juice

M’tabbaq

Preparation info

Serves
6

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
1 hr 15

Appears in

Classic Palestinian Cuisine

By Christiane Dabdoub Nasser

Published 2026

About

Ingredients

600 g (1 lb 5 oz) soft white sheep’s cheese (unsalted or

Asia
Palestine
Dessert
Vegetarian

Method

Grate the cheese or mash with a fork, whichever is easier. If you are using mozzarella, strain until it releases most of its liquid. Set the cheese aside while you prepare the dough.

Preheat the oven to 210°C (410°F), Gas mark 6-7.

Using butter, grease a large round or