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Turkish Spinach & Feta Cheese Börek

TURKISH BÖREK RECIPE

This Börek is Turkish a savory pastry pie stuffed with delicious spinach & cheese filling. The recipe is very popular in Turkey known as Börekçi or Burek. They are perfect as breakfast or midday snacks. Learn how to make this pastry by following my step-by-step recipe instructions.

WHAT IS BÖREK?

Börek is a crunchy stuffed pastry typically served as an appetizer or mezze in Balkan and Mediterranean. The recipe is originated in Turkey but nowadays can be found in many Balkans countries, like Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Albania.
This pastry is very popular in Turkey, and it can be made with different fillings like potatoes, spinach, cheese or minced meat. It can be shaped into rolled a large pie, or into a small cigars Börek's rolls.

SPINACH & CHEESE FILING

Turkish Börek filling has to be cheesy and packed with all the flavors and nutrients. Everything picked is fresh and healthy. Here are all ingredients you will need to make this cheesy spinach filling. This filling is also similar to the one we used in Turkish Gozleme.

  • Spinach

    Firstly wash and drain spinach leaves and then roughly chop them. In a large pot, saute chopped garlic in butter and add chopped spinach leaves. Cook until wilted, no more than 5 minutes. Drain excessive water and let it cool down.

  • Greek Feta cheese

    Finely crumble feta and add to the bowl with spinach, as feta is high in sodium, you need to don't add more salt to the filling.

  • Mozzarella Cheese

    Next, add grated packed mozzarella, but you can also use fresh mozzarella cheese. This cheese will make Börek incredibly cheesy.

  • Free-Range Eggs

    The eggs will keep the structure of the filling and connect all ingredients together. Always use good quality free-range eggs.

  • Black pepper

    The Black peper adds flavor, and spice and acts as preservative.

  • Garlic

    You will need freshly chopped garlic to saute spinach.

ROCK N' ROLL N' BAKE

Once we have prepared all our ingredients, it's time to roll n' bake Borek. Here are three main elements of the recipe you'll need for assembling.

  • Filo Pastry

    The main ingredient of the recipe what you will need is this delicate crispy pastry.

  • Butted/Ghee

    You'll also need melted butter or ghee for brushing individual layers of filo pastry.

  • Spinach & Cheese Filling

    Made of spinach, eggs, feta & mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Start with unwrapping your filo pastry and placing it on a tea towel or on non-stick baking paper to prevent filo from drying out.
  2. Then take two filo sheets together and place them on your working surface. Take melted butter and brush all around the filo.
  3. Spoon prepared spinach & cheese filling at the edge of the longer side of the sheet all way.
  4. . Seal the filling and start shaping it into the desired shape. Start rolling filling into rolls. Gently and carefully twist the filling into long rolls. Then repeat process until you'll make 5 even rolls out of regular pack.
  5. Then twist each roll into a large pie, rolling each roll into ''a snail spiral shape'' by adding roll after roll until we're done.
  6. Finally, finish with a butter brush and sprinkle with sesame and Nigella seeds.
  7. Pop into a preheated oven, and bake on low temperature at 150°C for about 30 minutes.
Borek

MAKE OTHER FILLINGS

To Make the Spiced Minced Meat filling, saute onion and cook minced lamb with masala powder, dried mint and cinnamon. Combine with cheese and roll!

For Potato filling, cook potatoes until soft and tender, mash them and mix them with spices, anise seeds, coriander seeds, black pepper, salt and freshly chopped spring onion and dill.

The simplest cheesy one, just mix grated packed mozzarella with crumbled feta, beaten egg, Nigella seeds, and freshly chopped parsley.

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

In order to help visualize how to this delicious pastry is made, check out this video.

https://www.tiktok.com/@amiracookland/video/7194946651914554629?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7200376424891778566

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

  • Do you have to pre-cook the spinach?

    I recommend pre-cook, as spinach releases liquid, and this may soak the pastry. The pastry won't stay crispy anymore.

  • Which gas mark I should bake it?

    Bake it pastry at a lower temperature, because it may burn very quickly. Turn oven on 150°C/300°C for about 30 minuutes. Gas mark 1

  • Where can I find those filo sheets?

    Depend on the country where you are based. Here in Ireland & UK, it's easily found in local supermarkets under the brand Jus-Rol. As well as in every speciality Asian/ Ethnic store.

TIPS & NOTES

  • Filo is a very delicate pastry, always work carefully with sheets, because it might break. Cover with a damp tea towel to prevent the filo from drying out.
  • Borek can easily burn in an oven, bake at very low heat temperature of no more than 150°C. Bake it slowly and keep an eye on it.
  • This delightful pastry it's a perfect appetizer for parties, special occasions, or tea gatherings, Impress your guests and friends!
  • The recipe is versatile and you can use any stuffing of your choice. The most common are spiced minced meat & cheese, potatoes, or the most simple one - cheese filling.
  • Borek is perfect as a midday snack, appetizer, lunch or dinner. Serve hot with Turkish tea and enjoy a delicious moment of this Turkish delight.

MORE TURKISH RECIPES

Did you liked this Turkish recipe? Check out also our other Turkish favorites :

STEP-BY- STEP RECIPE

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Rest Time 5 mins
Total Time 55 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine:
Courses: , ,
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 4
Ingredients
    For the filling
  • 200 g fresh spinach
  • 200 g greek feta cheese
  • 150 g grated mozarrella
  • 2 free range eggs
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tsp cooking olive oil
    • For Assembling Borek
  • 1 pack of filo pastry (10 sheets)
  • 100 g melted butter/ghee
  • 1 tbsp seseme seeds
  • 1 tsp Nigella seeds (black cumin)
Instructions
    Borek Filling Instructions
  1. 1

    Firstly wash and drain spinach leaves and then roughly chop them. In a large pot, saute chopped garlic in butter/olive oil and add chopped spinach leaves. Cook until wilted, no more than 5 minutes. Drain excessive water and let it cool down.

  2. 2

    Finely crumble feta and add to the bowl with spinach, as feta is high in sodium, you need to don’t add more salt to the filling.

  3. 3

    Next, add grated packed mozzarella, but you can also use fresh mozzarella cheese. This cheese will make Börek incredibly cheesy.

  4. 4

    Finally add to the bowl beaten eggs, grind of black pepper and mix everything well until well combined.

    5. Assembling Borek
  5. 5

    Start with unwrapping your filo pastry and placing it on a tea towel or on non-stick baking paper to prevent filo from drying out.

    Then take two filo sheets together and place them on your working surface. Take melted butter and brush all around the filo.

  6. 6

    Spoon prepared spinach & cheese filling at the edge of the longer side of the sheet all way.

  7. 7

    Seal the filling and start shaping it into the desired shape. Start rolling filling into rolls. Gently and carefully twist the filling into long rolls. Then repeat process until you’ll make 5 even rolls out of regular pack.

    Then twist each roll into a large pie, rolling each roll into ”a snail spiral shape” by adding roll after roll until we’re done.

  8. 8
    Finally, finish with a butter brush and sprinkle with sesame and Nigella seeds.
  9. 9

    Pop into a preheated oven, and bake on low temperature at 150°C for about 30 minutes. Enjoy and serve warm!

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 434kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 36.7g57%
Saturated Fat 22.3g112%
Cholesterol 186mg62%
Sodium 895mg38%
Potassium 366mg11%
Total Carbohydrate 13g5%
Dietary Fiber 1.7g7%
Sugars 2.7g
Protein 16g32%
Calcium 353 mg
Iron 3 mg
Vitamin D 22 IU

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: Turkish Recipes, Borek, Spinach Recipes, Phyllo Recipe, Filo Pastry recipes
Read it online: www.amiracookland.com https://amiracookland.com/recipe/turkish-spinach-feta-cheese-borek/