Directions
Börek is one of Turkey’s most iconic and beloved street foods: thin layers of yufka (a pastry similar to phyllo) filled with cheese, meat, spinach or potatoes, rolled up or layered, then baked or fried. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it is ideal for an aperitif, a snack or a quick but tasty lunch.
Origins and history
Börek has deep roots in the Ottoman Empire and has conquered the entire Middle East, the Balkans and part of Eastern Europe. Each region has its own variant: from sigara böreği (cigarette-shaped) to su böreği (more similar to lasagna), to kol böreği (rolled in a spiral). In Turkey it is a symbol of conviviality and is often served on festive occasions.
Ingredients
4 servings
- 500 g yufka dough or filo dough
- 300 g feta or beyaz peynir (Turkish white cheese)
- 200 g fresh spinach (optional)
- 2 eggs
- 100 ml milk
- 50 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 chopped spring onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sesame or nigella seeds for decoration
Method
In a bowl, crumble the cheese and mix it with the chopped spinach, spring onion, one egg, salt and pepper. In another bowl, combine the milk, oil and the other beaten egg. Grease a baking tray and spread out a layer of yufka, brush it with the milk and oil mixture, then add another layer and fill with the cheese mixture. Continue alternating layers and filling until all the ingredients are used up, finishing with a layer of brushed yufka. Sprinkle with sesame or nigella seeds. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 35-40 minutes, until golden brown.
Nutritional values (per 100 g)
Calories: about 250 kcal
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fat: 15 g
Protein: 10 g
Preparation time
Preparation: 25 minutes
Cooking: 40 minutes
Total time: about 1 hour and 5 minutes
Wine pairings
With its mix of crunchiness and flavor, Börek pairs perfectly with a Greco di Tufo DOCG by Feudi di San Gregorio, mineral and fresh; a Chardonnay IGP Terre Siciliane by Planeta, rounded but balanced; or a Rosato Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC by Torre dei Beati, which gives freshness and lightness.
