COOKING ALGERIA: Borek 🇩🇿

ground meat

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: lentils

Lentils provide a vegetarian option with protein.

phyllo dough

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pastry

💰Cheaper: homemade dough

Homemade dough can be more economical.

cheese

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: ricotta

Ricotta is a more affordable cheese option.

chickpeas

🥗Healthier: black beans

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Canned beans save time and money.

Mix half a cup of flour, half a cup of semolina flour, a pinch of salt, and 1 cup of warm water in a bowl.

Add 2 teaspoons of oil to the mixture and stir until smooth.

Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and brush a thin layer of the batter onto the pan.

Cook the batter for 1-2 minutes until it sets, then attempt to remove it from the pan.

Chop 1 onion and a bunch of parsley for the filling.

In the same pan, add a couple tablespoons of olive oil and sweat the onions until they turn color.

Add 250 grams of ground beef to the pan and break it up while cooking.

Mix in the chopped parsley, a teaspoon of paprika, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, a teaspoon of black pepper, and salt to taste.

Add 1 egg to the mixture and stir until the meat is cooked through.

Assemble the borek by placing a couple tablespoons of filling on the pastry, adding pieces of laughing cow cheese on top, and rolling it up tightly.

Heat a cast iron skillet filled with about an inch of oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Test the oil by dipping a wooden spatula handle into it; if bubbles form, it's ready for frying.

Deep fry the borek for a couple of minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.

Serve with lemon slices on the side.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens