Borekas are seriously one of my ultimate favorite appetizer dishes in the world. This version is filled with spiced meat and nuts. Might sound a little wacky, but it’s awesome! I decided to make a family-size braided one, you know, just for fun. You won’t believe how easy it is to make, guys!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, completely thawed
- ½ pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts or pistachios (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
1. In a wide pan, sauté the onion in oil for 5 minutes over medium-high heat.
2. Add in the ground beef and break it up into small crumbles using a spoon.
3. Season the meat with spices and salt; taste to adjust. Once the meat is cooked through, allow to cool.
4. Use a rolling pin to roll out the puff pastry sheet to 1/8 of an inch thick.
5. Fil the center of the puff pastry with the cooked meat mixture.
6. Cut 2-inch-long strips on each side of the filling. Then, starting from the top, fold the dough over the meat, alternating sides to create a braided look.
7. Brush with the egg yolk and top with sesame seeds. Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes until the dough is golden brown and cooked through.
Naomi Hazan is a self-taught chef based in New York. She’s been in love with food for as long as she can remember and credits that mostly to her strong Middle Eastern roots and family. Naomi started cooking at the age of 12 for family, holidays, and small get-togethers among her friends. Today, she caters for all types of affairs, from intimate sheva brachos to events for hundreds of people. Naomi always had a strong belief that good food is one of the best ways to bring people together – after all, some of the best times are shared over a great meal. Naomi can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
