Introduction: Golden, Savory Perfection
Bourekas are a beloved savory pastry enjoyed throughout the Middle East, often served as a fulfilling meal or a convenient, portable snack. This version simplifies the process by utilizing pre-made frozen puff pastry, allowing you to create this delicious treat quickly and effortlessly. With a rich, gooey cheese filling, a touch of tangy lemon, and a wonderfully flaky exterior, these hand pies are guaranteed to be a hit with the entire family.
Key Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Bake Time: 20–25 minutes
- Yields: 1 Dozen (12 Bourekas)
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity | Unit |
| Puff Pastry (Thawed in Refrigerator) | 2 | Sheets |
| Feta Cheese (Crumbled) | 4 | oz |
| Farmers Cheese (or Ricotta/Cottage Cheese) | 4 | oz |
| Frozen Spinach (Thawed and Squeezed Dry) | 8 | oz |
| Lemon Zest (Freshly Grated) | 1 | tsp |
| Dried Oregano | $\frac{1}{2}$ | tsp |
| Garlic Powder | $\frac{1}{4}$ | tsp |
| Salt | $\frac{1}{4}$ | tsp |
| Black Pepper | Pinch | |
| Egg (Beaten for Egg Wash) | 1 | |
| Sesame Seeds | (Optional) | (For Topping) |
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Preparing the Filling
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese and the farmers cheese.
- Add the thawed and thoroughly squeezed spinach to the cheese mixture. It is essential to remove as much moisture as possible from the spinach to prevent the pastry from becoming soggy.
- Stir in the lemon zest and all the spices (oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper). Mix thoroughly until the filling is uniform and well combined.
2. Assembling the Bourekas
- Unroll one sheet of the thawed puff pastry. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the sheet into six equal square pieces. (This will yield 12 bourekas in total from the two sheets).
- Scoop a generous heaping tablespoon of the cheese filling and place it diagonally on one half of a puff pastry square.
- Fold the pastry over the filling to create a perfect triangle shape.
3. Sealing and Baking
- Seal the edges of the bourekas tightly using the tines of a fork. This crimping is vital to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
- Brush the entire surface of the pastries with the beaten egg wash (the egg wash gives them that beautiful golden shine).
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds for an added crunch, if desired.
- Repeat the steps with the remaining sheet of puff pastry and filling.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the bourekas are beautifully golden brown and crispy on top.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
💡 Variation: Leftover Veggie Bourekas
This recipe is incredibly flexible for using up leftovers! Instead of spinach, you can substitute any chopped, sautéed, or roasted vegetables you have on hand, such as:
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Steamed broccoli florets
- Roasted eggplant or peppers
Mix the chopped vegetables with your favorite cheese (or the cheese blend in this recipe) and follow the remaining directions above to create a custom boureka filling.
