Recipe - Filo Pastry

2 2/3 cup Unbleached flour
1 teaspoon Salt
One half cup Warm water
2 tablespoon Olive oil
Cornstarch, for dusting
pastry board

Sift flour and salt into bowl. Gradually add water to make a stiff dough.
Turn onto pastry board.

Place the oil in a bowl and spread a little of it on the palms of your
hands. Knead the dough, gradually adding more oil until you have a smooth,
elastic ball. Roll the ball of dough in the remaining oil to cover all
sides. Place in a bowl, cover with a cloth, and allow to stand in a warm
place for about 2 hours.

Divide the dough into 10 parts and roll to 1/4inch thickness on a pastry
board dusted with cornstarch. Cover with a cloth and let set for 10
minutes.

Cover a table or counter top with a smooth cloth and lift rolled dough onto
it. Put your hands, palms down, under the dough and gently stretch the
dough with the backs of your hands, working your way around the table until
the dough is stretched as thin as tissue paper. For moist filo, using
scissors, cut dough immediately into desired size pieces; if you prefer dry
filo, allow it to stand for about 10 minutes before cutting.

Yields 10 12x16inch sheets.

Source: Rodale's Naturally Delicious Desserts and Snacks, by Faye Martin,
1978.

Shared by June Hoffman, 9/93

From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini