Börek (pronounced [bøˈɾekʲ]) is a traditional Turkish dish. It comes in different shapes and sizes and the recipe can be adapted to any person’s tastes, with cheese, spinach, meat, and even potato.

Over time, different cultures have adapted börek to their own traditions and flavors, and modern bakeries now actually offer a sweet version of börek, which is as delicious as the classic recipe!

Here’s how to make classic börek with meet!

Ingredients

• 905g ground beef
• 455g Yufka dough
• 1 cup milk
• 5 large eggs
• 455g mild green peppers (Cubanelles or Anaheims) stemmed, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 175ml cup canola oil, plus more for brushing
• 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon pul biber pepper (Aleppo pepper)
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons nigella sativa (black cumin seeds)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a large, deep skillet, heat olive oil over moderate heat.
2. Add onions, peppers and pul biber, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 10 minutes.
3. Add beef and cook until liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Continue cooking over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 15 minutes.
5. Transfer vegetables and meat to a bowl and let cool slightly.
6. Preheat oven to 200°C and lightly oil 22x33cm glass baking dish.
7. In medium bowl, whisk eggs with milk and 120ml canola oil.
8. Lay a sheet of yufka on work surface and brush with egg mixture; repeat until you have a stack of 2 sheets.
9. Transfer stack to the baking dish and spread one-third of beef mixture on top. Repeat layering twice more with brushed yufka sheets and beef filling, then end with a stack of brushed yufka.
10. Trim overhanging yufka slightly and tuck it under itself. Brush any remaining egg mixture on top of the borek, top with nigella sativa seeds and bake until deeply golden on top and sizzling, about 45 minutes.
11. Let borek rest for 20 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.

Afiyet olsun! Enjoy!