Description
Spiral borek weaves savory ground beef through delicate pastry layers, creating a culinary masterpiece that whispers Turkish kitchen traditions. Crisp phyllo edges and rich meat filling invite you to savor each delectable bite of this classic Anatolian comfort dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (optional)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup water
Dough and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 box frozen phyllo dough (15 to 18 sheets), thawed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Toppings:
- Sesame seeds
- Nigella seeds
- Black sesame seeds
Instructions
- Sauté onions in olive oil over medium heat until soft and translucent, approximately 10 minutes.
- Incorporate ground beef into the skillet, crumbling with a spatula until thoroughly browned.
- Season the meat mixture with Aleppo pepper, salt, and black pepper for enhanced flavor profile.
- Pour water into the skillet, allowing the liquid to completely evaporate while simmering. Remove from heat and let the filling cool to room temperature.
- Prepare a basting sauce by whisking milk, eggs, and neutral oil until well combined.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly oil a 16-inch round baking pan.
- Layer two phyllo sheets, positioning them carefully on a clean work surface.
- Brush the top phyllo sheet with the milk mixture, creating a light, uniform coating.
- Distribute meat filling along the long edge of the dough, then gently roll into a loose cylinder.
- Create a spiral pattern by coiling the first roll in the center of the baking pan, continuing with subsequent rolls to build outward.
- Generously brush the entire borek surface with remaining milk mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle sesame and nigella seeds over the top for additional texture and visual appeal.
- Bake for 35 minutes until the borek achieves a golden, crispy exterior. Slice into wedges and serve while warm.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting Aleppo pepper or using alternative spices like paprika for milder heat.
- Ensure ground beef is thoroughly browned to develop deep, rich flavor and prevent excess moisture.
- Allow meat filling to cool completely before rolling to prevent soggy phyllo and maintain crisp texture.
- Substitute ground beef with lamb for traditional Middle Eastern flavor or use plant-based crumbles for vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg