Crispy Spinach and Cheese Phyllo Rolls (Turkish Börek-Style Pastries)

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 560g (5 cups) pastry flour
• 350ml (1.5 cups) warm water
• 7g (1 teaspoon) salt
• 60g (4 tablespoons) melted butter
• 100ml (½ cup) vegetable oil

For the Filling:

• 500g (1.1 lbs) fresh spinach, cleaned and chopped
• 5g (1 teaspoon) salt
• 1 medium onion, grated
• 1 teaspoon red chili pepper
• 3-4 tablespoons spreadable white cheese (like cream cheese)
• 1 cup grated white cheese (like feta)

Instructions

Dough Preparation:

1. Mix flour and salt in a large bowl
2. Gradually add warm water while kneading
3. Knead for 6-7 minutes until soft and non-sticky
4. Cover and rest for 15 minutes
5. Divide into 8 equal portions
6. Rest portions for 5 additional minutes

Preparing the Layers:

1. Roll each portion to dessert plate size
2. Mix melted butter and oil
3. Brush each layer with oil-butter mixture
4. Stack layers on top of each other
5. Rest for 20-25 minutes in a warm place

Filling Preparation:

1. Salt chopped spinach and massage to release water
2. Squeeze spinach thoroughly to remove excess moisture
3. Mix with grated onion
4. Add chili pepper
5. Incorporate both types of cheese

Assembly and Baking:

1. Roll stacked dough very thin
2. Cut in half
3. Fold edges as shown
4. Place filling along one edge
5. Roll into cylinders (not too tight)
6. Brush with remaining oil-butter mixture
7. Bake at 190°C (375°F) for 40-45 minutes until golden

Timing

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Rest Time: 40 minutes
• Bake Time: 40-45 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Nutritional Information (per roll)

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fat: 18g
• Fiber: 2g
• Iron: 2mg

Tips and Tricks

• Keep phyllo covered while working to prevent drying
• Don’t overfill the rolls to prevent bursting
• Ensure spinach is thoroughly dried to prevent soggy pastries
• Roll firmly but not too tight to allow layers to puff
• Position seam-side down when baking

Variations and Substitutions

• Replace spinach with swiss chard or kale
• Use different cheese combinations (mozzarella, ricotta)
• Add pine nuts or walnuts for crunch
• Include herbs like dill or parsley
• Make it vegan with dairy-free cheese alternatives