Ispanaklı Peynirli Börek or Spinach and Cheese Börek



Well, my friends Zehra and Ismail are visiting their son here in Alabama.  They invited me over the other day and Zehra hanim made a delicious börek with potatoes.  I took some home and my sister tried it and she really liked it so I decided to make us some with Spinach and Cheese.  It was really delicious!  The thing I love about börek is that it is delicious anytime of day.  You can have it for breakfast, a light lunch or even a midnight snack.  Next time I will make Kıymalı Börek which is börek with ground beef.  Don't be scared to try and make your own börek.  While it may take a little while to prepare, it will be well worth every effort.

Ispanaklı Peynirli Börek

Ingredients
Cooking Directions
  1. Place the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center and slowly work the water in a little at a time until a soft ball is formed.
  2. Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge while you prepare the filling.
  3. Saute the finely chopped onion in the olive oil.
  4. Add the spinach and 1 teaspoon salt and saute for 1 - 2 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and let cool. When cool add the crumbled Feta cheese.
  6. Melt the butter and allow to cool.
  7. Remove the dough from the fridge.
  8. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  9. Dust your work surface lightly with flour.
  10. Place one dough ball on the work surface and flip to get flour on each side.
  11. Roll into a thin circle.
  12. Place 1/6 of the spinach and cheese mixture on the top edge of the dough.
  13. Roll into a long tube and then roll the tube into a rose shape. Place on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper or that you have greased.
  14. Continue until all six of the börek are complete.
  15. Brush each börek with the melted butter and place in oven.
  16. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
  17. Serve hot with a nice glass of Turkish hot tea.

Labels: , , , , , ,