Description
Delicious and savory Bourekas featuring a flaky puff pastry filled with a flavorful mixture of feta, cottage cheese, and mature cheddar. These golden, crispy triangle pastries are perfect served warm or stuffed with hard-boiled eggs, harissa, and pickled cucumbers for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Filling
- 75g crumbled feta
- 50g cottage cheese
- 50g mature cheddar, grated
- 1 egg, beaten (for filling)
- Black pepper, to taste
Pastry and Topping
- 320g ready-rolled puff pastry
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
- 1–2 tbsp sesame seeds
To Serve
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
- Harissa, to taste
- Sliced pickled cucumbers
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine crumbled feta, cottage cheese, and grated mature cheddar using a fork until well mixed. Season with a few grinds of black pepper, tasting to decide if salt is needed. Stir in one beaten egg and set aside.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pastry: Line one or two baking trays with baking parchment and preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6. Lay the puff pastry sheet on a flat surface; it should measure approximately 35 x 23 cm. Trim off a 2 cm strip from one end and discard it. Cut the remaining pastry into 15 squares of roughly 7 x 7 cm each.
- Fill and Fold Bourekas: Place about a scant tablespoon of cheese filling onto one corner of each pastry square, flattening it slightly. Fold the opposite corner over to form a triangle, enclosing the filling. Seal edges firmly by pressing them together and pushing out any trapped air. If the edges won’t stick, lightly brush with the second beaten egg or water. Press edges with a fork to ensure proper sealing and create a decorative pattern. Repeat this process for all pastry squares.
- Brush and Add Toppings: Brush the tops of each triangle with the remaining beaten egg. Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly over the tops to add a nutty flavor and attractive finish.
- Bake the Bourekas: Place the pastries on the prepared baking trays and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown, puffed, and cooked through. Once done, transfer them to wire racks to cool slightly.
- Serve Warm or Stuff: Eat the bourekas warm as they are, or allow them to cool. To serve stuffed, gently slice open each pastry crosswise, keeping the folded side intact so the pie can open slightly without breaking apart. Fill with slices of hard-boiled egg, a dollop of harissa, and pickled cucumbers for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry and cheese filling are well chilled before assembly for easier handling.
- Adjust the amount of pepper and salt based on the saltiness of your cheeses.
- If desired, you can add fresh herbs like parsley or dill to the filling for extra freshness.
- Serve these bourekas as snacks, appetizers, or part of a mezze platter.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven for best texture retention.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: Bourekas, puff pastry, cheese pastry, Middle Eastern appetizer, baked pastries, feta cheese, savory snack
