A Delicious Asian Pastry
Hello, foodies! Today I’m going to share with you a recipe for samsa borek, a traditional Asian pastry that is crispy on the outside and savory on the inside. Samsa borek is made with a thin dough that is folded into triangles and filled with a mixture of potatoes and minced meat. It is then baked in the oven until golden and crunchy. Samsa borek is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a snack. It is also easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. Let’s get started!
Ingredients
- For the dough:
- 1/4 cup of butter, melted
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup of plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 3-4 cups of all-purpose flour
- For the filling:
- 2 large potatoes, boiled and grated
- 250 grams of minced beef or lamb
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and cumin to taste
- For the topping:
- 1 egg yolk, beaten
- Sesame seeds and nigella seeds (optional)
Instructions
- To make the filling, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes. Add the minced meat and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for about 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and cumin to taste. Add the grated potatoes and mix well. Turn off the heat and let the filling cool slightly.
- To make the dough, in a large bowl, whisk together the butter, oil, yogurt, water, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the flour and knead until a soft and smooth dough forms. You may need more or less flour depending on the consistency of your dough. Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces and shape them into balls. Cover them with a damp cloth and let them rest for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- To assemble the boreks, on a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball of dough into a thin circle about 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter. Place about two tablespoons of filling in the center of each circle. Fold the edges over the filling to form a triangle shape. Press the edges firmly to seal them. Transfer the boreks to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with egg yolk and sprinkle with sesame seeds and nigella seeds if desired.
- Bake the boreks for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and crisp.
- Enjoy your samsa boreks hot or at room temperature with some yogurt or tomato sauce on the side.
I hope you liked this recipe for samsa borek. It is one of my favorite Asian pastries and I’m sure you will love it too. If you try it, let me know how it turned out in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more delicious recipes from around the world. See you next time!