**Grandma Lou's Cheese Boereg: A Delightful Journey into Balkan Cuisine**
In the heart of the Balkans lies a culinary treasure known as Grandma Lou's Cheese Boereg, a delectable pastry that is a symphony of flavors and textures. This savory dish features layers of crispy phyllo dough enveloping a rich and creamy cheese filling, creating a harmonious balance between flaky and smooth. Boasting an enticing golden-brown exterior and a delectable aroma that fills the air, Grandma Lou's Cheese Boereg is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Join us on a delightful culinary journey as we delve into the secrets behind this Balkan specialty, exploring its unique ingredients and the step-by-step process of crafting this irresistible dish. Along the way, we'll discover variations and alternative recipes that cater to different dietary preferences, ensuring that everyone can savor the charm of Grandma Lou's Cheese Boereg.
MICHAEL ARAM'S CHEESE BOEREGS
A unique boereg recipe due to its flaky, buttery exterior and fluffy, cheesy interior.
Provided by Robyn Kalajian
Categories Appetizer
Time 1h20m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cheeses, parsley, salt, eggs, and baking powder until well-combined.
- Take the dough out of the refrigerator about 15 minutes before using. Unwrap the dough. Note: once fillo dough is exposed to air, it dries out very quickly, becomes brittle and is impossible to use. Be sure to have plastic wrap and a lightly dampened kitchen towel ready to cover the dough to keep it pliable while you fold the boeregs.
- Fold each sheet in half (or in thirds, depending on size of the sheet) lengthwise. Brush dough surface generously with melted butter.
- For each boereg, place a spoonful of filling at the end of the folded dough that's closest to you. Begin folding, as though you were folding a flag - on the diagonal from corner to corner, creating a triangular shape. If there is extra dough at the top, just trim it off or tuck it under.
- Continue to do this until you run out of filling - or - dough.
- Keep the folded boeregs covered with plastic wrap. NOTE: At this point, you can prepare the boeregs for freezing by placing them in a plastic container large enough to hold the amount you are preparing, making sure you use plastic wrap or waxed paper between each stacked layer to prevent the boeregs from sticking together. Cover tightly with the lid, label, date, & freeze.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Place boeregs on an ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with melted butter. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
CHEESE BOEREG / FETA PHYLLO TRIANGLES
Flaky cheese boereg can be made with any combination of cheeses. This popular Armenian mezze can be made in advance and frozen.
Provided by Sylvia Hagopian / ArmenianDish.com
Categories Appetizer
Time 1h
Yield 36 triangles
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Combine filling ingredients, set aside
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly oil a pan
- Remove defrosted phyllo dough from box, spread open and cover with damp towel
- Melt butter and mix with oil
- Remove one sheet of phyllo and brush all over with butter/oil mix
- Cut the phyllo sheet down the middle vertically and fold each 1/2 sheet in half, so you have two long strips of dough
- Place a heaping tablespoon of cheese mix at the bottom right corner of the dough strip
- Fold the left side over the cheese to form a triangle point. Fold up and over again, as though you're folding a flag.
- Keep folding until you have a triangle - brush tops with butter/oil and sprinkle with nigella seeds (if using)
- Place in prepared pan and bake until golden brown.
Nutrition Facts :
BOEREGS (FLAKY ARMENIAN PUFF PASTRY) AS MADE BY BLAKE BESHARIAN RECIPE BY TASTY
Boeregs are a classic part of Armenian mezze. They can be filled with a range of cheeses, meats, and sweet fillings. The fillings used here are fairly traditional and extra-delicious since they're filled with savory cheese. They make a great appetizer or light lunch.
Provided by Rie McClenny
Categories Appetizers
Yield 48 boeregs
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Make the herbed feta filling: Heat the olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the nutmeg and cumin and stir to combine, then remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool completely.
- In a food processor, combine the spinach, parsley, rodopa cheese, egg, and the cooled onion mixture and pulse until broken down into a chunky paste. Transfer the filling to a bowl and set aside. Wipe out the food processor.
- Make the melted Kashkaval filling: Add the parsley, chives, egg, and Kashkaval cheese to the clean food processor and pulse until the mixture breaks down into a chunky paste. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line 2 baking sheets, or as many as you have, with parchment paper.
- Assemble the boeregs: Unroll the filo dough and cut crosswise into 3½-inch (9 cm) wide strips. Cover the filo dough with a damp towel while you fill the boeregs.
- Lay a strip of dough lengthwise on a cutting board. Holding the top of the dough with your left index finger, brush a thin layer of melted butter over the length of the dough. Scoop ½ tablespoon of filling at the top center of the strip, about ½ inch (1 ¼ cm) from the top. Fold the top left corner of the dough over the filling to make a triangle. Brush more melted butter on the top of the triangle, then continue folding and brushing until you reach the end of the dough strip, trimming any excess dough that doesn't fold all the way over. Transfer to a prepared baking sheet and cover with a kitchen towel. Repeat with the remaining dough strips and filling to make about 24 boereg with each filling. Reserve any leftover dough for another use.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks with the water.
- Brush the egg wash over the boeregs, then sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
- Bake the boeregs for 10-12 minutes, until golden, flaky, and crisp. Serve warm.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 110 calories, Carbohydrate 6 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 4 grams, Sugar 0 grams
ARMENIAN CHEESE BOEREG
A very old family recipe. This is how my grandmother made it. All measurements are approximate; my grandmother never measured anything. You can substitute any combination of cheeses. This recipe is for appetizer sized portions. If you want it for a side dish, don't cut the fillo in half. Practice folding boereg, using a piece of paper or a napkin.
Provided by manushag
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 50m
Yield 48 pieces, 48 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Mix cheeses together with 1 beaten egg and parsley.
- Melt butter in a small frying pan.
- Bring fillo dough to room temperature. Unroll dough on wax paper, cut in half for appetizer size boereg. stack and cover with saran wrap and a damp towel.
- Take one sheet of filo, with short side facing you. Brush entire sheet with melted butter. Place half a teaspoon of cheese a little to the right of center, toward the bottom of the sheet. Fold right side over cheese, and left side over top, in thirds.
- Brush with butter, and fold up the bottom over the cheese ball, then fold over diagonally. Continue to fold diagonally, left and right, until you reach the top and you will have a triangular shaped boereg, around 3 inches across bottom.
- Spray sheet pan with PAM and butter tops of boereg before baking.
- Preheat over to around 300-325 and bake for about 20 minutes, until very light brown.
CHEESE BOEREG
The rich-tasting filling of this appetizer is made with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, then baked between buttery layered dough.-Jean L. Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 45m
Yield 20 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the egg, egg white, ricotta and parsley. Stir in mozzarella cheese; set aside. , Unroll phyllo dough; cut the stack of sheets in half widthwise. Place one sheet of phyllo dough in a greased 13x9-in. baking pan; brush with butter. Repeat nine times (keep remaining dough covered with plastic wrap to avoid drying out)., Spread cheese mixture evenly over top. Layer with remaining dough, brushing butter on every other sheet. , Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into triangles or squares.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 150 calories, Fat 10g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 41mg cholesterol, Sodium 218mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 8g protein.
GRANDMA'S MAC AND CHEESE
"Here's a must-have for any cheese lover's recipe box," promises Melissa Bower from Carbondale, Illinois. "The creamy side dish is easy to make and gets rave reviews from everyone who tastes it."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 35m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheeses and Worcestershire sauce; stir until cheese is melted. Fold in macaroni., Pour into a 1-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 474 calories, Fat 23g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 77mg cholesterol, Sodium 1022mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 30g protein.
Tips:
- Use a pastry dough that is easy to work with, such as phyllo dough or puff pastry.
- Make sure the cheese filling is well-seasoned and flavorful.
- Use a variety of cheeses to create a more complex flavor.
- Don't overcook the boreg, or it will become dry and tough.
- Serve the boreg warm with a side of yogurt or tzatziki sauce.
Conclusion:
Grandma Lou's Cheese Boreg is a delicious and easy-to-make pastry that is perfect for any occasion. With its flaky crust and flavorful cheese filling, this boreg is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. This classic dish can be enjoyed as a main course, appetizer, or even dessert, depending on how you serve it. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special dish to serve at your next party, Grandma Lou's Cheese Boreg is sure to please.
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