SAEDNEWS: In the following, we will guide you through the step-by-step preparation of meat börek using the authentic traditional method of the Turkish people.
250 grams minced meat
1 egg
100 grams pizza cheese (mozzarella or similar)
100 grams mushrooms
1 onion
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Yufka pastry sheets (as needed)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt, black pepper, turmeric, thyme, and sesame seeds (as needed)
Cooking oil (as needed)
Meat börek is a delicious Turkish pastry with a crispy exterior and a savory filling. This recipe is simple and can be prepared easily with basic ingredients such as minced meat, mushrooms, and cheese. With ready-made yufka sheets and a few seasonings, you can make this traditional dish at home in a short time.
First, wash the mushrooms thoroughly and place them in a colander to remove excess water. Slice or finely chop the mushrooms.
Heat some oil in a pan and sauté the mushrooms until they soften. Add lemon juice while cooking to prevent the mushrooms from turning dark. Once the mushroom liquid has evaporated and they are lightly fried, remove them from the pan and set aside.
Next, finely chop the onion and sauté it in a little oil until it becomes soft, light, and golden. Add salt, pepper, turmeric, and a little thyme, then cook for another minute to release the flavors.
Add the minced meat and fry it together with the onion and spices until the meat changes color and becomes fully cooked. When the aroma of the seasoned meat fills the kitchen, add the tomato paste to the center of the pan and sauté it well to remove its raw taste.
Add the cooked mushrooms back into the pan and mix everything thoroughly until the filling becomes evenly combined. Remove the filling from the heat and allow it to cool.
Place the yufka sheets on a clean work surface. Lightly moisten the surface of the pastry using a damp kitchen brush.
Put a spoonful of the meat filling onto the pastry, add some pizza cheese on top, and roll the yufka tightly into a closed cylinder shape. Brush the edges lightly with water to seal the pastry and prevent it from opening during cooking.
Prepare all the börek pieces and place them on a greased baking tray. You can also use baking paper instead of oil to prevent sticking and make cleaning easier.
In a small bowl, whisk one egg. Add a tablespoon of milk and mix well until combined.
Brush the egg and milk mixture over the surface of each börek, covering them evenly. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if desired.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes. Bake the börek for approximately 20 minutes until they are fully cooked and crispy.
For an extra golden finish, turn on the grill function for the last 2 minutes until the tops become beautifully browned.
If you do not have an oven, you can easily cook the börek in a frying pan with a small amount of cooking oil. When using the frying method, there is no need to coat the börek with the egg and milk mixture.
Although yufka pastry is traditionally used for börek, you can also prepare this dish with thin flatbread such as lavash. However, lavash edges do not seal as easily as yufka sheets. Therefore, when using lavash, it is better to shape the börek into triangles, similar to traditional stuffed pastries.
This authentic Turkish-style meat börek is crispy on the outside, rich and flavorful inside, and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a satisfying meal.
