Joan Nathan's Spinach-Feta Burekas in Puff Pastry Recipe
The original recipe from Joan Nathan's King Solomon's Table cookbook includes directions for making fresh made puff pastry, which takes at least a day to prepare. To make Burekas in a flash, purchase frozen puff pastry. It is available in squares or sheets. I prefer the 5" x 5" squares for this recipe.
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 40
Calories: 123kcal
- 15 ounces spinach fresh or frozen, defrosted
- 1 pound feta cheese, drained and patted dry
- 2 large eggs
- 4-6 grindings fresh ground black pepper
- 10 – 5″ x 5″ squares Puff Pastry defrosted in the refrigerator
- 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 Tablespoon nigella seeds optional
- 1 large egg for egg wash
Procedure
Preheat oven to 375°. If using fresh spinach, submerge it in boiling water for a minute. Place the spinach (fresh or frozen) in a colander and press it to release the liquid . It's important to get the moisture out of the spinach. Take in your hands and squeeze out the liquid as the final step.
Pulse the feta and 2 eggs in the bowl of a food processor until nearly blended. Add the spinach and pulse again a couple times to mix. Add the pepper.
Roll out each square of puff pastry with some flour from a 5" x 5" square into an 8" x 8" square, being careful not to roll off the edge and squash the flaky layers that form in the oven. Cut the squares into fours with a pizza cutter, making each piece 4" x 4". Use a small scoop to scoop a heaping tablespoon of the filling onto the puff pastry.
Fold the puff pastry over the spinach-feta mixture to form a triangle. Don't seal the edges, as this helps to create the flaky edge once the Burekas are baked. Place onto parchment lined baking sheets.
Break the egg into a small bowl and beat in a teaspoon of water with a fork. Brush each Bureka with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds and optional nigella seeds (they look like black sesame seeds).
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden all over the top. Serve immediately or cool on wire racks. You can store in the fridge and reheat them at 300° just before serving.
ENJOY THIS RECIPE FROM FRESHFOODINAFLASH.COM
Calories: 123kcal