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Kol Böreği - Turkish Arm Borek

Kol Böreği, or Turkish Arm Borek, is a delicious savoury pastry filled with a mixture of ground meat, onions, and spices.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 6 portions
Calories: 633 kcal
Course: Main Course , Breakfast , Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine: Mediterranean , Turkish

Ingredients

For the Meat Filling
  • 350 g ground meat (beef, lamb, or a mixture)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
  • 2 medium onions (finely chopped)
  • 2 medium carrots (grated)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
  • ¼ cup water
For Building the Borek
  • 3 pieces yufka sheet
  • 1 egg
  • ⅔ cup vegetable or sunflower oil
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 tablespoon plain natural yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • sesame seeds and/or nigella seeds (to garnish)

Instructions

Preparing the Meat Filling
    Cup of Yum
  1. Place a heavy-based pan on medium heat and brown the ground meat breaking it up as it cooks until it releases its fat.
  2. Depending on the fat ratio of your mince, you might have some fat enough to sauté the onions and carrots. If not, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and sauté the onions along with grated carrots until soft.
  3. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes.
  4. Add a little water if the filling looks too dry, give it a good stir, and remove the pan from heat. Set aside to cool slightly.
Building Kol Boregi
  1. To make the sauce, whisk the egg in a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Add the vegetable oil, milk, yogurt, and vinegar to the eggs. Mix well until all combined. Set it aside.
  3. Preheat the oven to 180° C (360° F). Line a rectangular baking tray size of 35 cm x 25 cm (14" x 10") or a 28 cm (11") dia baking pan with a baking sheet.
  4. Cut the yufka sheets in halves, you will have 6 pieces of yufka halves.
  5. Lay one piece of half yufka on a clean work surface, drizzle 2 tbsps of the sauce, and spread it evenly using a brush.
  6. Add 2-3 tablespoons of meat filling to the wide end and then spread it into a thin line, leaving a small gap on either side.
  7. Fold the flat end over the filling, then gently roll the pastry from the wider side into a long cylinder shape.
  8. Fold the long rolled pastry into thirds, as shown in the picture, to form an arm or "N" shape. Repeat the process with the remaining yufka pieces.
  9. Place the shaped boreks on a baking tray and brush with the rest of the sauce generously. Sprinkle on sesame seeds or nigella seeds.
  10. Place the tray in the oven and cook the boreks for 35- 40 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

  • You can make the meat filling up to 2 days in advance and keep it refrigerated until you want to build your kol borek.
  • Yufka sheets are delicate, so handle them carefully to avoid tearing.
  • Preheat the oven to 180° C - 360° F (fan oven) before you put the borek in. A cold oven would cause a longer cooking time and less crispy pastries.
  • You can double the recipe up and keep the cooked borek pieces in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • You can also keep unbaked boreks in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply bake them in the preheated oven straight from frozen. Add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time. 
  • Kol Böreği keeps well in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer up to three months. Reheat it in the oven or air fryer for that just-baked crispiness.

Nutrition Information

Calories 633kcal (32%) Carbohydrates 42g (14%) Protein 17g (34%) Fat 44g (68%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 15g Monounsaturated Fat 15g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 72mg (24%) Sodium 788mg (33%) Potassium 383mg (11%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 3528IU (71%) Vitamin C 5mg (6%) Calcium 72mg (7%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6portions

Amount Per Serving

Calories 633

% Daily Value*

Calories 633kcal 32%
Carbohydrates 42g 14%
Protein 17g 34%
Fat 44g 68%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15g 88%
Monounsaturated Fat 15g 75%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 72mg 24%
Sodium 788mg 33%
Potassium 383mg 8%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 3528IU 71%
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Calcium 72mg 7%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.