Honeyed Greek filo custard pies

Instructions

1. Preheat oven 170°C.
2. First make the custard. Place 1 cup milk, sugar and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a very gentle simmer. Whisk in semolina in a slow steady stream and cook, whisking continuously, for 5-8 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter until well combined, remove from heat and cover surface closely with plastic wrap so it doesn’t form a skin. Set aside 15 minutes, until slightly cooled but still warm.
3. In a bowl, whisk remaining milk with eggs, and lemon zest then pour into the saucepan and semolina mixture and whisk 3-5 minutes off the heat.
4. Grease four cups of a straight-sided 7.5 cm x 5 cm muffin or dessert pan with melted butter using a pastry brush. On a flat and clean work surface, lay down one sheet of filo pastry and lightly brush with melted butter. Place a slightly damp towel on the remaining unbuttered filo as you work, to stop it from drying out. Lay another sheet of pastry on top, brush with butter and repeat with 5 more sheets (to total 7 sheets). Divide the rectangular sheets into four with a knife, cutting in half lengthways and then crossways. Lay the filo pieces in the cake pan so the ends hang out over the edge of the pan. Press the filo into the pan so it fits snugly.
5. Whisk the custard mixture and pour into filo base, so it comes ¾ of the way up the sides, then fold the excess filo back over the custard, being careful not to let it submerge. Then lightly brush with butter. Bake 45-50 minutes, until golden brown and custard is set.
6. Meanwhile, to prepare the syrup, combine sugar, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice and 175ml water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over a medium heat, without stirring. Cook 5 minutes, until syrupy.
7. When pie is removed from oven, pour hot syrup over hot pastry immediately and let stand 1 hour, until absorbed. Decorate with thyme sprigs. Cut into pieces to serve.