Turkish börek: spinach and cheese filo pie

Name: Turkish börek: spinach and cheese filo pie
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: En
Ingredients: 18 filo pastry sheets; 28 oz fresh spinach; 7 oz feta cheese; 3 shallots or 1 spring onion; 2 garlic cloves; Olive oil; Salt; Pepper; 2/3 cup butter; 3 Tbsp ricotta cheese; Oriental spices (to taste)

Main Dish

Very Easy

35 min

907 Kcal

The Middle East has culinary treasures well worth discovering, including börek: a kind of pie made with crisp filo pastry and filled with juicy spinach and cheese. Börek comes in many shapes—you can find triangular and rolled versions, among others—and with many fillings. Cheese, potato, and minced meat are especially popular. This recipe is not at all complicated, and you can easily adapt it to suit your taste :) Follow our detailed step-by-step guide ↓ ↓

Materials

Round oven-safe pan

Preparation

Preparation10 min

Waiting time5 min

Cook time20 min

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!

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FAQ ❓

What is the history of börek?

Börek has its roots in Ottoman cuisine and has evolved over the centuries, becoming a popular dish in many Middle Eastern and Balkan cultures.

Can börek be made with other fillings?

Yes, börek is very versatile, and you can experiment with different fillings such as minced meat, potatoes, or even roasted vegetables to suit your preferences.