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Coiled filo pie with zucchini (courgette), cheese and dill – Kol Boregi

I am delighted to share this delicious Coiled / Swirl filo pie with zucchini, dill, cheese and onions, Kol Boregi, as we call in Turkish; it has been a huge hit at my online cookery classes recently. We really enjoyed this filling; there is a lovely natural sweetness from the zucchini and onions with the saltiness from Turkish beyaz peynir (I love Pinar Foods UK’s creamy beyaz peynir) or feta cheese, that works with dill so well.  You can also use spinach, sautéed leeks, kale, Swiss chard instead of zucchini/courgettes.

The trick with filo pastry sheets is that they need to be kept under slightly damp towel so they won’t dry out. Take only one sheet at a time to make the coiled shape for this recipe. I have used Jus Roll filo pastry sheets and they worked well.

The milk, egg and olive oil mixture works like a magic to keep the pastry intact while rolling. If the pastry breaks, please don’t worry, you can patch up brushing with the milk, egg and olive oil mixture. Once baked and cooled, you can cut this pastry in portions and freeze in a sealed bag (in one layer). You can also bake it ahead of time and give a gentle reheat at 180C/350F for about 8 minutes.

 

I love our savoury pastries and boreks in Turkish cuisine; tray bakes, filo triangles, pogacas, Pide, Flatbreads with zaatar and cheese topping and more included at my cookery book, Ozlem’s Turkish Table, Recipes from My Homeland. Signed copies available at this link and delivered worldwide.

If you live in the US, Canada or Mexico, you can order hardback copies of Ozlem’s Turkish Table here for lower shipping rates.  Please kindly note that this Coiled filo pie, Kol Boregi is a new recipe and not included at my current cookery book.

I hope you enjoy this delicious Coiled filo pie, Kol boregi, Afiyet Olsun,

Ozlem

Coiled filo pie with zucchini (courgette), cheese and dill – Kol Boregi
 
I hope you enjoy this moreish Coiled / Swirl filo pie with zucchini, dill, cheese and onions, Kol Boregi, as we call in Turkish. We really enjoyed this filling; there is a lovely natural sweetness from the zucchini and onions with the saltiness from Turkish beyaz peynir (or feta cheese) that works will dill so well. You can also use spinach, sautéed leeks, kale, Swiss chard instead of zucchini. The trick with filo pastry sheets is that they need to be kept under slightly damp towel so they won’t dry out. Take only one sheet at a time to make the coiled shape for this recipe. I have used Jus Roll filo pastry sheets and they worked well.
Author:
Recipe type: Savoury pastry, borek
Cuisine: Turkish cuisine
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 7 Filo pastry sheets (270g - 480mm x 255mm), thawed (I used a packet of Jus Roll filo sheets, they work well)
  • For the filling:
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium to large zucchini/courgettes (485g/1lb 1oz), trimmed and grated
  • 1 small bunch of dill, finely chopped
  • 200g/7 oz Turkish beyaz peynir or feta cheese, juice drained and crumbled
  • 30ml/2tbsp olive oil (to sauté the onions)
  • 5ml/1tsp pul biber
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • For the egg, milk and olive oil sauce:
  • 30ml/ 1fl oz milk
  • 1 free range medium egg, beaten
  • 15ml/1tbsp olive oil
  • For the topping of the coiled/swirl pie:
  • 1 free range medium egg, beaten
  • 10ml/2tsp olive oil
  • 1tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
  1. For the filling, place the grated courgette (zucchini) in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Set aside for 10 minutes. Using a clean tea towel or sturdy couple of sheets of kitchen paper towel, squeeze out the excess juice (this is an important step, otherwise this excess juice would make the pastry soggy). Place the squeezed zucchini/courgette in a large bowl.
  2. Pour in the 2 tbsp olive oil on wide heavy pan and stir in the chopped onions; gently sauté for 8 minutes, until they soften. Stir in the grated zucchini/courgette, combine and sauté for another 4 minutes, season with salt and ground black pepper. Turn the heat off.
  3. Place the sautéed onions and courgettes in the large mixing bowl. Stir in the crumbled cheese, dill, season (you may not need additional salt, as feta/beyaz peynir is already salty) and pul biber. Combine all ingredients well and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. The filling is ready.
  4. Preheat fan oven to 180C/200C/400F.. Line a round baking dish (with 25cm/10in diameter) with baking paper.
  5. Combine the milk, beaten egg and olive oil for the sauce in a small bowl. .For the topping, mix the beaten egg and olive oil in a small bowl
  6. Open your thawed filo pastry sheets and gently lay them on a dry, clean surface and cover with a damp towel. To coil the filo, the pastry needs to be kept moist. Only take one sheet at time and keep the rest covered.
  7. Take 2 filo sheets and lay on top of another lengthways on a clean, dry surface. Brush the top sheet with he milk, egg and olive oil mixture. Place about 145g/5oz filling in a line, along the edge near you, leaving 2cm at each end filling free. Gently roll up into a cylinder. Brush the edge with the milk, egg, olive oil mixture. Starting from one end, wind the filo into a coil and put on the baking dish with the baking paper on. Brush over and sides of the coiled pastry with the egg, milk and olive oil mixture (this also helps to patch up any broken pastry).
  8. Repeat the same procedure with the next 4 filo pastry sheets, using 2 sheets at a time .Coil each filo cylinder around the previous one to make a larger spiral. Make sure to brush the top and sides of the coiled pastry with the egg, milk and olive oil mixture.
  9. Fold the last remaining sheet, lengthways and brush the sheet with the egg, milk and olive oil mixture. Place the remaining filling (about 85g/3oz) in a line along the edge near you. Roll up again into a cylinder and coil around the previous one to complete the spiral. Brush the top and sides of the coiled pastry with the egg, milk and olive oil mixture and patch up any broken pastry.
  10. Brush the top and visible edges of the pie the beaten egg and olive oil all over, and then sprinkle the sesame seeds.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and cooked through. Let it slightly cool for 5 minutes. Slice in wedges. You serve with Spicy bulgur wheat salad with pomegranate molasses, Kisir, aside if you like.

 

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Leek fritters with cheese and herbs; Pirasa Mucveri

We absolutely love Mucver in Turkish cuisine; vegetarian fritters with herbs and cheese. In the past I shared my Courgette/zucchini fritters,  Kabak Mucveri as well as the Baked cauliflower with vegetables version, Firinda Karnabahar Mucveri recipes, as also in my cookery book, Ozlem’s Turkish Table. They are the perfect patties, great as a mezze; small bite size fritters are wonderful for entertaining too.

Make sure to chop the leeks finely and knead and soften with your hands, with salt.

This time, I experimented using leeks in the fritters. I added wholesome chickpea (gram) flour in the mixture, rather than plain flour this time. I have been enjoying the gram flour recently; it is a pulse flour made from ground chickpea, it is gluten-free, nutty, earthy tasting and packed with goodness. Great in these fritters too. Of course you can use plain flour here instead, if you wish. I also added grated carrots to these fritters, they gave a lovely natural sweetness and crunch.

These Leek fritters, Pirasa mucveri, turned out great. I also baked some in the oven as a variation (in a greased baking dish at 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4 for about 35 minutes); they turned equally tasty and lighter in flavor. Enjoy them with a good squeeze of lemon and garlicy yoghurt by the side.

Afiyet Olsun,

Ozlem

Leek fritters with cheese and herbs; Pirasa Mucveri and Pide Online Cookery Class!
 
I hope you enjoy these delicious Leek fritters, Pirasa mucveri. I added wholesome chickpea (gram) flour in the mixture, rather than plain flour. I have been enjoying the gram flour recently; it is a pulse flour made from ground chickpea, it is gluten-free, nutty, earthy tasting and packed with goodness. Great in these fritters too. Of course you can use plain flour here instead, if you wish. I also added grated carrots to these fritters, they added a lovely natural sweetness and crunch. Enjoy them with a good squeeze of lemon and garlicy yoghurt by the side.
Author:
Recipe type: Vegetarian
Cuisine: Turkish cuisine
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 200g/7oz (2 medium) carrots, grated
  • 430g/15oz (3-4 medium leeks), trimmed, quartered and chopped finely
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 small bunch dill, finely chopped Handful of flat parsley, finely chopped
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 150g/5oz Turkish white cheese, beyaz peynir or feta cheese
  • 75ml/5 tablespoons chickpea (gram) flour Or all-purpose/plain flour
  • 5ml/1 teaspoon Turkish pul biber or chili flakes (optional)
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • Canola oil, groundnut oil or sunflower oil for shallow frying
  • Wedges of lemon to serve
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 180 C/ 350 F (if you wish to bake the fritters)
  2. Place the finely chopped leeks in a large bowl. Sprinkle a good pinch of salt (1-2 tsp) over the leeks, and rub and mix with your hands. Please do this stage with your hands, rather than with a spoon, as mixing with your hands will soften the leeks.
  3. Grate the carrots. Take a couple of sheets of sturdy paper towel, place the grated carrots in it and gently squeeze out the excess moisture.
  4. Combine the grated carrots with the leeks in a large bowl. Transfer the gram flour (or plain flour, if you wish) to the large bowl and stir in the beaten eggs. Crumble the Turkish white cheese, beyaz peynir or feta cheese and combine in the large bowl. Add the chopped garlic, dill and parsley, season with salt and ground black pepper. Sprinkle the pul biber or red pepper flakes, if you enjoy a little heat. Combine well into a batter (take care not to add extra salt if your cheese is already salty).
  5. In a frying pan, heat enough groundnut, sunflower or canola oil to shallow fry. Using a tablespoon, drop the batter mix into the hot oil spoonful by spoonful, leaving space between each one. Fry over a medium heat for about 2-3 minutes each side until both sides are golden brown. Remove with a straining spoon and drain on an absorbent kitchen paper towel.
  6. Alternatively, if you would like a lighter flavor, you can bake your mucver in a preheated oven at 180C / 350F. If you choose this way, grease a baking dish with 1 tablespoon light olive oil or groundnut oil. Place spoonfuls of the batter on the baking tray, leaving about 1”/2.5cm space between each spoonful batter. Bake in the oven for about 35 minutes, until they are gold and getting crispy around the edges.
  7. For garlic yoghurt, crush a garlic clove with salt and finely chop. Combine the plain yoghurt and garlic and beat until smooth. Add salt to taste.
  8. Serve the fritters warm, at room temperature or cold with wedges of lemon and garlic yoghurt at the side.
  9. Afiyet Olsun.

Let’s Make Pide!  Online (Zoom) Turkish Cookery Class – SOLD OUT

Saturday, February 27th, 2021

Vegetarian Pide, from Ozlem’s Turkish Table – join us to learn how to make it; image by Sian Irvine Photography 

Date: Saturday, February 27th 2021

Time: 6pm-7.30pm (GMT)

Cost: 30 GBP (40 USD) per person

Please join us at my online (zoom) cookery class, where I will be demonstrating how to make the popular Pide; our Oval flatbreads with various toppings, on Saturday, February 27th, 6pm-7.30pm (GMT). I will demonstrate Pide with minced (ground) meat with vegetables topping, Kiymali Pide, as well as Vegetarian Pide with cheese, spinach, peppers. We will also do a variation, Karadeniz style, with a cracked egg on top. I will also demonstrate how to make our delicious Ezme dip with tomatoes, peppers, onions and herbs, to go with the Pide.

You will get plenty of ahead of time preparation tips, ideas for substitution and with stories from my homeland. Recording of the class will also be sent to the participants for limited viewing. The class would also make a wonderful gift for a foodie

 

A recent review on Ozlem’s Turkish Table cookery book:

(thank you very much, Hannah, for your kind words):

“Thank you Ozlem, such a wonderful book. I have made many of the recipes already and my family loved them all. My daughter is so happy as they are just like Babannes.”

It is the best compliment hearing folks enjoy my recipes from my homeland, and they bring happy memories, my sincere thanks to everyone left a review on Ozlem’s Turkish Table cookery book. Signed copies are 25 % Off  via GBPublishing at this link and delivered worldwide, including the US.

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