Borek is a traditional pastry dish that originated from the Middle East, and is now popular in various countries including Lebanon. This mouth-watering dish is made with paper-thin layers of phyllo dough, filled with a savory or sweet filling, and then baked to crispy perfection. In Lebanon, borek is a staple dish found in almost every household and is often served as a snack or appetizer. The combination of flaky pastry and flavorful filling makes Lebanese borek a must-try for any food lover. In this article, we will share with you a delicious Lebanese borek recipe that is sure to impress your taste buds.
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Ingredients for Lebanese Borek
For the dough:
1 pack of phyllo dough
1 cup melted butter
1 cup warm water
1 tsp salt
For the filling:
1 lb ground beef or lamb
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 cup parsley, chopped
Instructions for Making Lebanese Borek
Step 1: Prepare the dough
Start by preparing the dough for the borek. Mix the warm water with salt in a bowl and set it aside. Lay out the phyllo dough and cover it with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out. Brush melted butter on a baking dish and preheat your oven to 375°F.
Step 2: Make the filling
In a pan, cook the ground beef or lamb until browned. Add in the chopped onion and garlic and continue cooking until softened. Season with allspice, cinnamon, paprika, cumin, black pepper, and salt. Once the meat is fully cooked, remove from heat and add in the chopped parsley.
Step 3: Assemble the borek
Take one sheet of phyllo dough and place it on a flat surface. Brush it with melted butter and place another sheet on top. Repeat this process until you have 5 layers of phyllo dough. Spread a layer of the meat filling on top of the dough, leaving a border of about 1 inch. Roll the dough tightly, tucking in the edges as you go. Brush the top with melted butter and place it in the prepared baking dish. Repeat this process until you have used up all the dough and filling.
Step 4: Bake and serve
Bake the borek for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crispy. Cut into slices and serve hot as a snack or appetizer. You can also serve it with a side of tzatziki sauce for dipping.
With its flavorful filling and crispy layers of phyllo dough, this Lebanese borek recipe is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Its delicious taste and simple preparation make it a perfect dish to add to your repertoire. Give it a try and impress your friends and family with this traditional Lebanese dish.