Cheese Bourekas
User Reviews
4.8
81 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
18 servings
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Calories
186 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Middle Eastern
Cheese Bourekas
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Cheese Bourekas are flaky puff pastry turnovers filled with a blend of feta, kashkaval, and ricotta cheeses mixed with egg and seasonings. These triangular pastries have a crisp, golden crust that contrasts with a creamy, savory cheese center. They make for a satisfying snack or appetizer often enjoyed warm.
Description
Cheese Bourekas use sheets of puff pastry rolled and cut into squares to form individual turnovers. The filling combines crumbled feta, shredded kashkaval (or additional feta), creamy ricotta, beaten egg, salt, and pepper for a rich, balanced cheese taste. The mixture is thoroughly blended to evenly distribute flavors and break up cheese clumps.
The dough squares are filled with the cheese mixture, folded into triangles, and carefully sealed. Egg yolk wash and optional toppings like sesame seeds or poppy seeds provide a golden, textured crust when baked at 350°F. The resulting bourekas have crisp layers of pastry that yield to the smooth, flavorful cheese filling inside.
These pastries are typically served warm or at room temperature as a snack, appetizer, or part of a light meal. The cheese blend offers a tangy and mild profile that pairs well with fresh salads or dips.
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Ingredients
- 2 heets puff pastry can also use filo dough
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1/3 cup kashkaval cheese or substitute another 1/3 cup feta, grated
- 1/3 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- salt
- black pepper
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional, or poppy seeds, for topping
- cooking oil spray nonstick
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, combine feta, kashkaval, ricotta, egg, a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper (if using all feta cheese, you may not need to add any salt). Use a fork to mix ingredients together till well blended. Make sure to break up any large crumbles of feta with the fork. Reserve mixture.
- On a smooth, clean, lightly floured surface, unfold one of your puff pastry sheets. Use a rolling pin to roll out the sheet to a 12x12 inch square. If using homemade puff pastry, roll your dough out to the same size - a 12”x12” square. Cut the sheet of puff pastry dough into 9 equal-sized squares, each about 4”x4” large.
- Place 1 scant tablespoon of the cheese filling in the center of each dough square.
- Fold the dough squares by grasping one corner and folding it over to the opposite corner to make triangles. Pinch firmly along the outer open edge of the triangles to seal. If you're having trouble sealing the dough and getting it to stick together, wet your finger with a bit of water and run it around the edge of the square before folding-- this will help it stick together.
- You can also crimp the edges with the tines of a fork, if you wish.
- Repeat this process for the second sheet of puff pastry—roll out the pastry, cut into squares, add filling, and seal the triangles.
- Spray your baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Place 9 bourekas on each sheet, evenly spaced, giving them some room to expand during baking.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and 2 tsp of cool water. Use a pastry brush to brush a light layer of the egg wash onto the surface of each boureka.
- Sprinkle the bourekas with sesame or poppy seeds, if desired.
- Bake the bourekas for about 30 minutes, switching the baking sheets between the upper and lower racks halfway through cooking. Bake till golden brown and cooked through.Serve warm. Store in a sealed container or plastic zipper bag.
- To freeze bourekas: prepare, fill, and seal the pastries. Do not coat with egg wash or bake. Place the unbaked pastries in a Tupperware or plastic bag in single layers, separating each layer of bourekas with a piece of parchment paper or wax paper to keep them from freezing together. Freeze.
- When ready to bake, take the bourekas out of the freezer (no need to defrost) and arrange them on a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick oil. Coat with thin layer of egg wash and sesame or poppy seeds, if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes till golden brown.
Notes
- If difficulties arise sealing the dough edges, press firmly and consider moistening edges slightly to improve adhesion.
- Use parchment-lined baking sheets and space bourekas to ensure even baking and crisp bottoms.
- Egg yolk wash before baking promotes a golden, glossy crust and helps seeds stick to the surface.
- Substitute filo dough for puff pastry as an alternative for a different texture, but puff pastry provides flakier layers.
- Two large baking sheets and small mixing bowls assist efficient preparation and assembly of bourekas.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
186kcal
(9%)
Carbohydrates
12g
(4%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Cholesterol
29mg
(10%)
Sodium
153mg
(6%)
Potassium
30mg
(1%)
Vitamin A
80IU
(2%)
Calcium
54mg
(5%)
Iron
0.9mg
(5%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 18servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 186 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 186kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 29mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 153mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 30mg | 1% |
| Vitamin A | 80IU | 2% |
| Calcium | 54mg | 5% |
| Iron | 0.9mg | 5% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
81 reviews
Excellent
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