Bourekas are puff pastry or phyllo dough stuffed with a variety of fillings ranging from cheeses to ground meat, potato or mushrooms. The shape of a boureka indicates what filling is wrapped inside. Triangles typically indicate cheese fillings, squares indicate potatoes, rectangles commonly have mushrooms and twists likely have spinach. Some varieties may be presented in triangles regardless of the filling, but traditional street vendors provide various shapes to indicate the fillings.
Description
Bourekas traditionally were baked from scratch at home or found as street food or deli fare. The time investment needed to serve the warm, crispy pastries has been reduced dramatically with frozen varieties reaching store shelves. Baking frozen bourekas at home from a package provides a flaky pastry crust with hearty fillings.
Cooking Basics
Frozen bourekas bake at 350 to 425 F, depending on the brand. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray or line it with a sheet of parchment paper before laying the bourekas on the tray. Do not thaw them before cooking. Bake them for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the cooking temperature. The higher the temperature of your oven, the lower the cooking time required. Check the recommended cooking time for the brand you selected.
Variations
Brush the surface of the bourekas with a beaten egg to enhance the browning as the bourekas bake. Sprinkle ground Parmesan cheese, small seeds or chopped nuts over the outside after coating the bourekas with egg to add texture and crunch. Use a toaster oven at the recommended temperature, baking the bourekas for the same amount of time or until they are golden brown.
Serving Suggestions
Boureka pastries are commonly served as hand-held snacks, street food or on party trays at celebrations and gatherings. Serve them with a warm salad on the side to include vegetables, particularly when serving cheese or meat bourekas with little vegetable crunch. Bourekas can be served hot or at room temperature.
Posted in: Cooking Style