Best 5 Turkish Borek Recipes

TURKISH BOREK

Steps:

• In a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil over moderate heat. Add the peppers, pul biber and onions, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the beef and cook until the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 15 minutes. Transfer the vegetables and meat to a bowl and let cool slightly.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and lightly oil a 9- by 13-inch glass baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and 1/2 cup of the canola oil. Lay a sheet of yufka on a work surface and brush with the egg mixture; repeat until you have a stack of 2 sheets. Transfer the stack to the baking dish and spread one-third of the beef mixture on top. Repeat the layering twice more with the brushed yufka sheets and beef filling, then end with a stack of brushed yufka.
• Trim the overhanging yufka slightly and tuck it under itself. Brush any remaining egg mixture on top of the borek, top with the nigella sativa seeds and bake until deeply golden on top and sizzling, about 45 minutes. Let the borek rest for 20 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.

BOREK (TURKISH MEAT ROLLS)

Steps:

• Brown meat in pan at medium-hi heat.
• Drain and transfer browned meat to a medium bowl to cool.
• When the meat has cooled crumble cheese and add to the meat.
• Add the parsley, garlic thyme and pepper and mix well.
• Let this sit for 30 minutes.
• In a small bowl beat the egg with water to make an egg wash.
• Working quickly now, so the phyllo does not dry out.
• Take 1 sheet phyllo dough brush or spray with olive oil, place another sheet on top and brush or spray again.
• Cut the two sheets into six rectangles.
• Take a good tablespoon of meat mix and place it about an 1 ½" to 2 inches up from one of the corners of the rectangle.
• Lift the corner of the pastry and fold over the meat mixture, then lift and fold the corner on the right and then left to make and envelope about 3- 4 inches wide, then roll up to top.
• Repeat for the next five pieces.
• Brush with egg wash.
• Heat some of the olive oil in a heavy pan a fry the meat rolls, turning to brown on all sides, lightly flatten them with spatula while frying.
• Repeat the dough and rolling with the rest of the dough sheets.
• These are also very nice cold.
• I sometimes use a Tzatziki sauce for dip or mint sauce if using lamb.

TAVUK BOREK (TURKISH CHICKEN PASTRIES)

Steps:

• Steam the chicken breast over boiling water for 10-15 minutes, or until cooked, set aside to cool; then, once cooled, remove the skin and bones and finely chop the flesh.
• Heat the butter, add the flour and cook over a moderate heat for a few minutes, stirring. Gradually add the milk, bring to the boil, then immediately lower the heat and simmer over a low heat for 2 minutes and add the cinnamon and raisins and season to taste with salt and pepper. Then set aside to cool, covering the surface with a piece of plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. When the sauce is cool, stir through the chicken.
• Cut the pastry lengthways into three strips. Cover with a tea towel. Take one strip of pastry, brush lightly with oil and place a little filling at one end. Fold over end and sides and roll up neatly. Place seam side down on a greased baking tray. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling. Brush tops with a little oil and bake in a moderate oven (180°C; 350°F) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
• Serve warm.
• Note: To make the Borek as a main meal make double the quantity of filling, by following the instructions in steps 1 and 2. Leave the pastry whole, and use 3 lightly oiled sheets to line the base of a suitable lightly oiled pan. Once the filling mixture has cooled, place it over the pastry and cover it with 3 more lightly oiled sheets. Sprinkle it with water and lightly score the surface. Bake as in step 3 but for 35-40 minutes, or until golden.

TURKISH SPINACH & FETA BOREK

Steps:

• To make the filling: Fry the onion in the olive oil on a medium heat for a few minutes until a pale golden colour. Add the salt & pepper, followed by the spinache & cook for a further couple of minutes. Remove from the heat & stir in the feta then set aside to cool.
• In a bowl, whisk the eggs, olive oil & milk.
• Grease a 2L casserole dish. Place 2 sheets of the phyllo in the bottom of the casserole - the phyllo should cover the bottom & the sides of the casserole. Brush 2-3 tbsp of the eggy mix over the top of the phyllo.
• Take another 2 sheets of phyllo, this time folding them so that they cover the bottom of the casserole only & brush with the eggy mix.
• Spread the spinach & feta filling over the phyllo & level gently with the back of a spoon.
• Cover the filling with another 2 sheets of phyllo, remebering to brush with the eggy mix. Contine layering the phyllo until it is used up. When you have used the last 2 sheets of phyllo, brush with the eggy mix then gently pull up the bottom sheet of phyllo & place it over the top sheet.
• Use the rest of the eggy mix to cover the top of the borek - this is important to stop it from burning.
• Place in the fridge to set for 3 hours then cook in a preheated oven at 1750c / 350f. Bake in the middle of the oven until it is golden brown.

TURKISH WATER BOREK (SUBORGEI)

Steps:

• To prepare the dough:
• 1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, wheat starch, eggs, lemon juice, and salt. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes; or, knead the dough in a stand mixer fitted with a hook attachment on medium speed until smooth and elastic, 6 to 7 minutes. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
• 2. Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Cover the portions with a damp towel and, working in batches, roll them out using a rolling pin or pasta machine to about 1/8-inch thickness. As you finish rolling out each piece, lightly flour it to prevent the sheets from sticking together.
• 3. Working in batches, boil each piece of rolled dough until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately cool each cooked piece in the bowl of ice water to stop it from cooking. Remove the dough from the water bath, pat dry, and lightly rub each with some olive oil to keep them from sticking together. Set aside.
• To prepare the filling:
• 1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the spinach to the pan, toss, and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook the spinach, tossing occasionally, until wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and remaining 1/2 cup oil together. Set aside.
• To assemble the borek:
• 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly rub the inside of a large baking dish with some olive oil.
• 2. Assemble the dish by first laying down a piece of cooked dough and then scattering some wilted spinach, Feta, and herbs over top. Ladle some of the milk-egg mixture over top. Repeat the assembly, building layer over layer, and ending with cheese and herbs on top.
• 3. Bake until the egg is set and the top is golden brown, about 35 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.