Beef Bourekas: A Flaky Feast of Flavor

Savory Minced Beef in Crisp Pastry: A Culinary Celebration of Textures and Tastes

Beef Bourekas

During a recent family gathering, I was inspired to create a dish that not only warmed the belly but also sparked conversation. These Beef Bourekas were a hit! I took the hearty, flavorful minced beef, enriched with spices and fresh herbs, and encased it in flaky puff pastry. The added crunch of roasted pine nuts and the dual garnish of mushrooms and black sesame seeds turned each piece into a small work of art. It's a dish that combines my love for intricate flavors with the joy of sharing good food with loved ones.

Ingredients -

- 1 pound of minced beef (0.5 kg)

- 1 sheet of chilled puff pastry

- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced

- 1/3 cup of fresh parsley, finely chopped

- 1/3 cup of fresh cilantro, finely chopped

- 2 teaspoons of salt

- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

- 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika

- 1 teaspoon of cumin

- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder

- 1/3 cup of roasted pine nuts

- Oil for frying

For Garnishing:

- 1 beaten egg

- Sliced mushrooms

- Black sesame seeds

Instructions -

1. In a large pan, heat oil and sauté the onions until translucent and slightly golden.

2. Add the minced beef, breaking it apart as you cook, until completely cooked through.

3. Stir in all the seasonings and pine nuts, and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes.

4. Mix in the chopped herbs and remove from heat. Allow to cool.

5. preheated oven to 360°F (180°C)

6. grab a baking sheet with parchment paper, flour it a bit and carefully roll out the puff pastry. Gently stretch the dough a little more (to make it a bit thinner), taking care not to tear it.

7. Evenly spread the meat filling over half of the dough.

8. Carefully fold the other half of the dough over the filling and tuck in the edges to seal.

9. Cut diagonal lines in both directions to create diamond shapes.

10. Brush with beaten egg and garnish one half with mushrooms and the other half with black sesame seeds.

11. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until golden brown.

12. Serve and enjoy with a lemony tahini sauce.

Have you tried this? please let me know what you think in the comments! feel free to ask any questions :)