Püf Böreği (Cheese Puff Pastries)
Ingredients
- 250gr. (9 oz.) plain flour
- 1 heaped tbsp. yoghurt
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 55 ml (2 fl. oz.) water
- heaped ¼ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. bicarbonate of soda
- 40 gr. (1½ oz.) butter,
- melted
- 250 gr. (9 oz.) Feta cheese,
- crumbled
- 1 spring onion, finely chopped
- Chopped parsley or dill
- Paprika
- Salt,
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 egg, lightly beaten, use half in
- the filling and half to seal the
- edges
- You can double the quantity and freeze half after being cut into pieces. Put them on a baking sheet, freeze, then pop in a polythene bag. When you need them, take out as many as you want, they will thaw quickly and be ready in no time!
Method
Mix together the filling ingredients and leave to one side.
Begin the pastry by sieving the flour into a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add all the ingredients, except the melted butter. Mix into a soft dough that isn’t sticky adding more flour if necessary. Knead for about 5 mins. until smooth and elastic. Leave to rest, covered with clingfilm, at room temperature for 1 hr.
Divide the dough into 2. Roll out the first piece using an oklava or rolling pin, until as thin as a knife blade. Brush half the melted butter over every bit of it.
From the edge facing you, roll up quite tightly, like a swiss roll, pinching the edges together to neaten it off. Cut the roll into approx. 12 pieces. Place on a plate, cover with cling film and refrigerate for ½ hr. Repeat with the second piece of dough.
Now roll out each ball of dough into a small, thin circle (no need to be too accurate here!). It’s easier to brush the edges with the lightly beaten egg first and then place a good tbsp. of the filling across the top half of the circle, covering almost to the edge. Fold over to form a semi-circle and seal. Fry in hot sunflower oil, a stir fry pan is ideal, spooning over the oil as they cook and watch them puff and turn golden brown! Drain on paper kitchen towel.
Serve. Delicious with tea! As a starter or on a buffet table.
