Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese

Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese Recipe from Turkey

Region / culture: Turkey | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour | Servings: 6

Introduction

Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese is a delicious and savory dish that is perfect for any meal of the day. This recipe features layers of thin yufka pastry filled with a cheesy mixture and baked to golden perfection. It is a popular dish in Turkish cuisine and is sure to impress your family and friends.

History

The origins of Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese can be traced back to Turkish cuisine, where it is known as "Börek." Börek is a traditional dish that is made with thin layers of pastry dough filled with various ingredients such as cheese, meat, or vegetables. It is a popular dish in Turkey and is often served as a snack or appetizer.

Ingredients

Yufka Recipe

500 g yufka (thin sheets of unleavened bread dough)
0.5 glass of milk

Margarine Sauce Recipe

1.5 tbsp margarine
5 tbsp flour
3 eggs
300 g white cheese
0.5 bunch parsley
0.25 glass of milk
salt

How to prepare

In a saucepan, sauté the margarine and flour for two minutes.
Add 0.25 glass of hot milk and 0.25 tbsp of salt, and stir until the mixture becomes quite thick.
Remove from the stove and allow it to cool.
In another bowl, put 200 g of cheese and mash it with a fork.
Add chopped parsley and blend the cheese with the eggs.
To this mixture, add the white sauce you have prepared and mix them all together.
In another bowl, put milk and margarine and blend until smooth. Allow it to stand.
Roll out one sheet of the yufka to 1.5 times larger than the size of the tray on which it will cook.
The other layer should be about the size of the tray.
Line the tray first with the larger piece of pastry so that it overlaps the edges of the greased baking tray.
Spread the prepared milk and margarine mixture evenly.
Repeat for a few layers until half of the pastry sheets are used.
Then spread the cheesy mixture over it, layer with the remaining pastry, and margarine and milk mixture as before.
Brush the top with the remaining milk and margarine mixture.
Bake in a moderately hot oven for an hour and serve.
For the sauce, mash white cheese in a bowl.
Add melted margarine, flour, eggs, milk, parsley, and salt to taste.
Blend until you have a homogeneous mixture.

Variations

You can customize this recipe by adding different fillings such as spinach, ground meat, or mushrooms. You can also experiment with different types of cheese for a unique flavor.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to roll out the yufka pastry thinly to ensure that the layers are flaky and crispy.

- Be sure to evenly spread the cheese mixture between the layers of pastry to ensure that each bite is filled with delicious cheesy goodness.

- Brushing the top of the pastry with the milk and margarine mixture before baking will help to give it a golden and crispy crust.

Serving Suggestions

Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese can be served as a main dish with a side salad or as a snack or appetizer. It pairs well with a dollop of yogurt or a squeeze of lemon juice.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese is to layer the yufka pastry and cheese mixture evenly and bake it until golden and crispy. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully to achieve the perfect flaky texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you can't find yufka pastry, you can use phyllo dough as a substitute. You can also use different types of cheese such as feta or mozzarella for a different flavor.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the cheesy mixture and assemble the pastry layers ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake. This dish can also be frozen before baking for a quick and easy meal option.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese on a platter garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of paprika for a beautiful presentation. You can also cut it into squares or triangles for easy serving.

Pairing Recommendations

Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese pairs well with a crisp green salad, pickles, olives, or a side of roasted vegetables. It also goes well with a glass of Turkish tea or a refreshing lemonade.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese contains approximately 300 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese contains approximately 15 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese contains approximately 10 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese is a good source of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (cheese, milk) and wheat (yufka), which may be allergens for some individuals.

Summary

Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese is a delicious and satisfying dish that is relatively high in carbohydrates and fats, but also provides a good amount of protein and essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for any meal of the day. With its flaky layers of pastry and cheesy filling, it is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Try this recipe today and enjoy a taste of Turkish cuisine in your own home.

How did I get this recipe?

I can still picture the first time I came across this recipe for Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese. It was a warm summer day, and I was visiting my dear friend, Mrs. Thompson, who lived down the street from me. Mrs. Thompson was known for her amazing baking skills, and whenever I had the chance to visit her, I always made sure to pay close attention to her cooking techniques.

On that particular day, Mrs. Thompson had just taken a batch of Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese out of the oven. The smell of buttery pastry and melted cheese filled her cozy kitchen, and I couldn't resist asking for the recipe. Mrs. Thompson smiled warmly and handed me a worn piece of paper with the instructions written in her elegant handwriting.

As I read through the recipe, I noticed that it was quite simple, with just a few basic ingredients. The key, Mrs. Thompson explained, was in the technique of rolling out the pastry dough to achieve the perfect flakiness. She demonstrated the process for me, showing me how to fold the dough multiple times to create layers that would puff up beautifully in the oven.

I watched in awe as Mrs. Thompson worked her magic with the dough, her hands moving with precision and skill. She sprinkled grated cheese over the top before sliding the tray into the hot oven, where it baked to golden perfection. The end result was a tray of the most delicious, flaky pastries I had ever tasted.

After enjoying a few of the warm pastries with Mrs. Thompson, I thanked her profusely and promised to try the recipe at home. Over the years, I made the Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese countless times, each time tweaking the recipe to suit my own tastes. I added herbs and spices, experimented with different types of cheese, and even tried filling the pastries with various savory fillings.

One day, while visiting my own mother, I shared the recipe with her. Like me, she was instantly hooked on the flaky, cheesy pastries, and she too began making them regularly. It became a staple at family gatherings and special occasions, with everyone clamoring for a taste of the delicious treat.

As the years passed, I continued to perfect the recipe for Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese, earning a reputation as the family's resident pastry expert. I passed the recipe down to my own children and grandchildren, who now make the pastries with their own unique twists and variations.

To this day, whenever I bake a batch of Flaky Tray Pastry with Cheese, I think back to that warm summer day in Mrs. Thompson's kitchen. Her generosity in sharing her recipe with me sparked a lifelong love of baking and cooking, and for that, I will always be grateful.

So, if you ever find yourself in need of a delicious, flaky pastry to serve at your next gathering, look no further than this recipe. I can promise you that it will be a hit with everyone who has the pleasure of tasting it. Enjoy!