Borek

/bɜːɹɛk/

Borek

a savory pastry made with thin layers of phyllo dough, typically filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables, and often eaten as a snack or appetizer in various Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines

What is "borek"?

Borek is a traditional dish from the Middle East and Central Asia that is made with flaky phyllo dough and filled with a variety of savory and sweet fillings. The most common savory fillings include cheese, ground meat, spinach, and mushrooms, while the most common sweet fillings include nuts, honey, and fruit. The dish is usually served as an appetizer or snack, but can also be served as a main course. Borek is usually made by layering sheets of phyllo dough with the desired filling, then baking it until golden brown. The dish is usually served hot, but can also be served cold. It is often garnished with fresh herbs, such as parsley or mint, and served with a side of yogurt or a sauce, such as tahini or garlic sauce. Borek is a popular vegan and gluten-free option and is known for its flaky, flavorful taste.

Examples

1. The borek Mehmed enjoyed was likely stuffed with chicken.

2. Historians disagree on whether borek was originally created in Turkey or somewhere else in the eastern Mediterranean.

3. A flaky, savory pastry which comes in different shapes, like squares, triangles, and crescents and might be filled with ingredients like cheese, vegetables, or lamb, borek still remains popular today.

4. Later, sultans would have eaten borek stuffed with rare, imported ingredients like chestnuts, dried apricots, dates, and minced meat, as was the case during the diplomatic banquet in 1649.