Turkish börek: crunchy and tasty stuffed filo with spinach and cheese

Ingredients

• 18 filo sheets
• 28 oz fresh or frozen spinach
• 7 oz feta cheese
• 3 shallots
• 2 garlic cloves
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2/3 cup butter
• 3 Tbsp ricotta cheese
• Oriental spices (to taste, optional)

Materials

• Round oven-safe pan

Preparation

• In a pan with a little olive oil, sauté the sliced shallots and finely chopped garlic until golden. Set aside. Add the washed and drained spinach. Season to taste. If desired, you can add a touch of oriental spices like cumin or ras el hanout and sauté. Once cooked, remove from heat. Drain the spinach to remove excess liquid and let it cool completely.
• Once cooled, chop the spinach into small pieces, place them in a bowl, and add 3 heaping tablespoons of ricotta cheese. Mix well.
• Melt the butter in the microwave until liquid. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Meanwhile, lay a sheet of filo pastry on your work surface, and using a brush, spread melted butter over it. Place another sheet of filo on top and brush it with butter as well. On the lower edge of the filo closest to you, start placing the filling in a line, continuing to the edge of the pastry. You can use a spoon or a piping bag to help.
• Crumble some feta cheese over the filling. Then, carefully roll the pastry around the filling to form a cylinder. Repeat this step until all the rolls are made.
• In a round oven-safe pan, place the first rolled cylinder in the center. Arrange another cylinder around the first spiral. Continue with the remaining cylinders until the surface is covered, creating a spiral shape. Brush the top with a little melted butter.
• Bake the Börek for 20 to 25 minutes at 350°F (180°C), until golden.
• When serving, you can sprinkle some sesame seeds or a little dried thyme on top. And there you have it! Your Börek is ready!

Cookware

Questions

Photos of members who cooked this recipe