Bushra Griffith
Burek is a traditional Turkish dish, also popular in the Balkans, that comes with a variety of fillings. The two most popular Burek fillings are cheese mixed with various herbs and a filling made with ground meat, spices, onion, and parsley. In Croatia, burek can be made with any filling, but mainly cheese and meat. In Bosnia, burek is only named burek if it is made with meat, while all other varieties are called pita. In this text, we will explore the different types of cheese used in burek.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Savory appetizer pie |
| Region | Balkans, Turkey, Armenia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Serbia |
| Main Ingredient | Cheese |
| Cheese Types | Feta, Cream Cheese, Mozzarella, Cottage Cheese, Provolone, Sour Cream, Cream Cheese |
| Herbs | Parsley, Dill, Chives, Mint, Basil |
| Spices | Serrano Pepper, Black Pepper, Red Pepper |
| Other Ingredients | Egg, Yogurt, Spinach, Potatoes, Meat, Scallions, Garlic, Onion |
| Dough | Phyllo Dough, Fillo Dough, Filo Dough, Puff Pastry, Egg Roll Wrappers |
| Cooking Method | Baking, Frying |
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What You'll Learn
Feta cheese is a common ingredient
Feta cheese is a key ingredient in the cheese burek recipe. It is combined with other cheeses, such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and provolone, to create a hot and cheesy filling. The salty flavour of feta adds a distinct taste to the dish, and when mixed with eggs, it helps bind the filling together. The cheese mixture is then placed inside the phyllo dough, which can be homemade or store-bought, and baked or fried to create a light and crunchy exterior.
In addition to the cheese, various herbs and spices are added to enhance the flavour of the burek. These include parsley, dill, chives, mint, basil, and Serrano pepper. Black olives are also commonly included, providing a complementary zip to the other ingredients. The use of egg roll wrappers instead of phyllo dough is a simpler alternative, making the preparation process easier.
Burek with feta cheese can be served as an appetizer or a main course, often accompanied by a salad or yogurt. It is a versatile dish that can be baked or fried, with different cultures having their own unique shapes and preparation methods. For example, Armenian burek is typically triangle-shaped and brushed with butter, while Bosnian burek is formed into a coil-shaped pie.
Feta cheese burek is a beloved dish that spans multiple cultures and regions. Its versatility allows for various ingredients and preparation methods, making it a popular choice for those seeking a tasty and easy-to-make meal.
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Mozzarella is also used
Burek is a popular delicacy in Eastern Europe, especially in the Balkans. It is traditionally prepared using fillo dough and filled with cheese, meat, vegetables, or a combination of these ingredients. While feta cheese is commonly used in burek, mozzarella is also a popular choice.
Mozzarella burek offers a delicious variation on the traditional dish. The stretchy, melted mozzarella creates a delightful contrast with the crispy, flaky exterior of the pastry. The use of mozzarella adds a stringy, chewy texture to the burek, making it a fun and indulgent treat. This type of cheese also provides a milder flavour compared to feta, resulting in a more subtle taste that complements the other ingredients.
When making mozzarella burek, the cheese is typically shredded or grated and mixed with other ingredients to create a flavourful and cohesive filling. In addition to mozzarella, burek fillings may include a variety of herbs and spices such as parsley, dill, chives, and Serrano pepper. Black olives are also a popular addition, providing a briny contrast to the melted cheese.
To prepare mozzarella burek, the filling is placed onto an egg roll wrapper or puff pastry sheet. The wrapper is then rolled or folded to completely enclose the filling, creating a log-shaped or turnover-style pastry. The burek is then fried or baked until golden brown, resulting in a crispy exterior and a hot, cheesy interior.
Mozzarella burek can be served as an appetizer, a snack, or a main course. It is often enjoyed warm, as the melted cheese provides the best texture and flavour when freshly cooked. This variation of the traditional burek offers a unique and indulgent taste experience, combining the stretchy qualities of melted mozzarella with the crispness of the pastry wrapper.
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Other cheeses include provolone and cream cheese
Burek is a traditional Turkish dish, also known as börek, that comes with a variety of fillings. The two most popular fillings for the dish are cheese mixed with herbs and ground meat mixed with spices, onion, and parsley.
Cheese burek is made with a combination of feta cheese and shredded mozzarella. Some variations of the dish also include cream cheese, cottage cheese, and provolone. Additional ingredients such as eggs, parsley, dill, chives, and black olives are also used to enhance the flavour and bind the filling.
Burek can be made with homemade dough or phyllo dough, also known as filo dough, which is pre-made and store-bought. The dough is filled with cheese and other ingredients, rolled into logs, and then fried or baked until golden brown.
Other cheeses that can be used in burek include provolone and cream cheese. Provolone is a mild, good melting cheese that pairs well with the feta and mozzarella. Cream cheese, which is used in the Balkan variation of burek, adds a rich and creamy texture to the filling when combined with feta.
In addition to the traditional cheese burek, there are also variations of the dish that incorporate other ingredients. For example, apple burek is made by combining apple butter with cinnamon and using it as a filling instead of cheese.
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Herbs and spices are added for flavour
Burek is a family of pastries or pies made in the Middle East and the Balkans. The pastry is made of thin, flaky dough such as filo with a variety of fillings, including cheese, meat, spinach, or potatoes. In some regions, lavash is used instead of phyllo.
Burek is popular in the cuisines of the former Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, especially in North Africa and throughout the Balkans. It is also part of Mizrahi and Sephardic Jewish traditions.
Herbs and spices are added to burek for flavour. For instance, a burek recipe from Hilda's Kitchen Blog includes parsley, dill, chives, and Serrano pepper. Black olives and Serrano pepper are also added to this recipe, although they are not traditional ingredients. Another recipe includes allspice, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Other herbs and spices that can be added to burek include:
- Tarragon
- Mint
- Basil
- Cayenne pepper
- Nigella seeds
- Black cumin seeds
- Sesame seeds
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Burek can be fried or baked
Burek is a popular delicacy in Eastern Europe, especially in the Balkans. It is also known as "borek", its native Turkish name. Burek is usually prepared using fillo dough and a variety of fillings. While the two most popular fillings are cheese and meat, burek can be made with any filling. For instance, a sweet variation of the dish can be made with apple butter and cinnamon.
To bake burek, the oven should be preheated to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). A baking sheet should be lightly greased. The burek should be placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet and baked until golden. Baked burek can be served warm or cold.
In addition to the cooking method, the type of dough and filling used can also vary. While traditional burek is made with fillo dough, some recipes use puff pastry or egg roll wrappers instead. For the filling, a combination of feta and cream cheese is popular, but other cheeses such as provolone, cottage cheese, and mozzarella can also be used. Additional ingredients such as herbs, scallions, garlic, and black olives can be added to the cheese filling.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is the most common type of cheese used in burek. Other cheeses such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, provolone, and mozzarella are also used.
Herbs such as parsley, dill, chives, and mint are often added to the cheese in burek. Other common additions include egg, scallions, and black olives.
Burek can be made with homemade dough or phyllo (also spelled "filo") dough. Puff pastry and egg roll wrappers are also used.
Burek can be baked or fried. To bake burek, brush the tops with an egg wash and place on a baking sheet in the oven for 25-40 minutes, until golden brown. To fry burek, heat vegetable oil in a pan to 350 degrees F and carefully place the burek in the hot oil, frying on all sides until brown.
