After making this borek so many times, I still don’t have a good enough picture, but did not want to delay posting anymore. Here it is; the charming Charm Borek. Actually charm is perhaps not the correct translation of the word “muska” in Turkish. It is a little triagle made from various material; like leather, silver, cloth, beads. In it there is a prayer for protecting the person who is wearing it. Mothers generally prepare it for their soldier boys. This borek is named after this triangle shape.
Normally I would fry it, but by baking makes it lighter. It is best when just out of the oven. It is pretty fun to prepare, the kids might enjoy helping you. In this recipe you will find cheese and parsley for filling, but you are free to add whatever you like such as ground meat, mushroom, sausages, potatoes, leeks, even lentils.
Phyllo sheets – Yufka is best when bought from yufka shops. There is at least one almost in every neighbourhood, in Turkey. Our grandmothers used to do their own, I will never forget how mine prepared home-made baklava with 44 layers of yufka. Yufka is round, with a diameter of 40-70 centimeters and a thickness up to 1 centimeters. Here is a video of such a yufka shop.
The practical way to prepare the triangles is first to cut each yufka to four. Then spread some water/liquid oil mixture on a quarter and place another quarter on top with the same spread. Then add a tablespoon full of stuffing and start giving the shape. If you have already rectangular or triangle cut yufka, things will be easier for you.
I have garnished it with nigella seeds. These seeds are seen so healthy that it is described as “good for everything, except death”. So whenever you have the opportunity sprinkle them to your boreks, salad, pastry or meat.
This borek is a treat that can be eaten any time during the day, also a good pick for a party. Hope you will try and enjoy.
Charm Borek Baked
Ingredients
- 3 phyllo sheets yufka
- 75 mililitres water
- 75 millilitesr liquid oil corn, olive, sunflower
- 400 grams white or feta cheese
- 6-7 stalks parsley
- 1 tablespoon nigellla seeds
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a bowl mix the water and the oil. Whisk until well combined
- In another bowl crush the cheese with a fork or grate it. Add also an egg white. Mix it well with chopped parsley and set aside. Save the egg yolk for the top.
- Cut each phyllo sheet into four. Lay a quarter of a phyllo sheet on to your working space. Spread with liquid mixture using an egg brush. Lay the second quarter on top and again spread with the liquid mixture using an egg brush.
- Cut 5-6 centimeter vertical slices.
- At the end place a dessert spoonful of cheese filling.
- Fold the end of the phyllo sheet over the filling diagonally to make a triangle.
- Fold to the reverse side and then the reverse until the strip is finished. Make sure to keep the triangle shape. Dip the part on the very end into a small bowl of water to make sure it sticks.
- Confinue till all the phyllo sheets are finished.
- Place the stuffed triangles on to an oven tray with a baking sheet.
- Add an egg yolk to the remaining liquid mixture and brush the top of each triangle with this mixture.
- Sprinkle nigella seeds and sesame seeds if you like.
- Cook in a preheated oven at 180 degrees. About 15-20 minutes will be enough.Take out when they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.