Sephardic-Turkish Style Spinach and Cheese Borrecas | Spinach and Cheese Hand Pies

feta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories.

phyllo pastry

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pastry

💰Cheaper: store-bought puff pastry

Whole wheat pastry adds fiber while puff pastry is more affordable.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is less expensive and neutral in flavor.

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

Thaw the spinach the evening before or the morning of preparation.

In a medium-sized bowl, add 2.5 cups of all-purpose flour and 0.5 teaspoon of salt.

Using a serving fork, combine the flour and salt until well distributed.

Drizzle 0.5 cup of vegetable oil over the flour mixture and incorporate with the fork until it resembles sandy colored pebbles.

If the mixture looks too dry, add an extra tablespoon or two of vegetable oil until it reaches the desired consistency.

Measure out 0.5 cup of lukewarm water and microwave it for 30-40 seconds until warm but not steaming hot.

Pour the warm water over the flour mixture and mix gently with the fork to form a dough.

Knead the dough lightly until it comes together, then cover with plastic wrap or a dough cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.

In a medium bowl, crumble 7 ounces of feta cheese and add 6 ounces of shredded parmesan cheese.

Incorporate 4 large eggs into the cheese mixture and mix well until combined.

Squeeze excess water from the thawed spinach using a tool or by hand, then add it to the cheese mixture and mix until well combined.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Roll out the rested dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.

Cut the dough into circles or squares, depending on your preferred shape for the borrecas.

Spoon the filling onto one side of the dough, fold over, and seal the edges using a fork or by pinching them together.

Place the filled borrecas on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Brush the tops with egg wash made from the reserved egg.

Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top of the borrecas before baking.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on a cooling rack before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens