Hearty Borek Recipe (Rich and Buttery Savory Pie from Turkey)
What is Borek?
Originating from Turkey and the Ottoman Empire, borek is a savory pie made from pastry (commonly filo/phyllo) with a filling that varies from country to country. Cheese, egg, potato, and meat are just some of the many types of borek you can try.
In a bowl, combine the eggs (2 whole eggs plus 2 yolks, reserving the 2 egg whites for later use if desired), sour cream, crumbled feta cheese, and grated mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
Add the milk and salt, then mix everything together until fully combined.
Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl or in a pan on low heat on the stove.
Butter a baking dish (use a pastry brush or spoon to coat with melted butter).
Place 6 filo sheets on the bottom of the baking dish, brushing each sheet with melted butter using a pastry brush.
Take 2 filo sheets, bunch them up along the long side to create a ruffled effect, and place them side by side in the baking dish. Brush or drizzle melted butter on top.
Spread half of the cheese-sour-cream-milk mixture evenly over the ruffled filo sheets.
Add another 2 ruffled/bunched-up filo sheets on top and brush with melted butter.
Pour the remaining half of the cheese-sour-cream-milk mixture over the second layer of ruffled filo sheets.
Place 2 more filo sheets on top (flat, not ruffled) and brush with melted butter.
In a small bowl, mix the 2 reserved egg yolks with 2 tbsp (30 ml) of milk. Brush this mixture over the top of the borek.
Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly over the top.
Bake the borek in a preheated oven at 180°C (360°F) for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let it rest for 15 minutes before portioning and serving.