Creamy Feta and Caramelized Leek Börek

Börek is a Turkish pastry, made with either filo or yufka pastry, then stuffed with various fillings, such as cheese, vegetable or meat. It can be a perfect snack, a light lunch or a main course.

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  3 leeks, white and pale green parts, finely sliced
  
  


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  2 garlic cloves, minced
  
  


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  1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
  
  


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  2 Tbs. olive oil
  
  


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  1 Tbs. unsalted butter
  
  


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  3/4 cup chicken broth
  
  


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  1 bay leaf
  
  


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  Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  
  


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  7 oz. feta, crumbled
  
  


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  2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh oregano
  
  


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  8 sheets frozen filo dough, thawed
  
  


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  melted butter, for brushing
  
  


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  2 Tbs. hemp, poppy and/or black sesame seeds
  
  

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Sauté the leeks, garlic and sugar in the olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the stock and bay leaf, and season. Cook until the leeks are very tender, about 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and cool. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and combine with the cheese and oregano.

Spread a sheet of filo on the work surface, and cut lengthwise into thirds. Keep the remaining filo covered with a damp kitchen towel. Each strip will make 1 börek.

Brush a filo strip with melted butter and place a tablespoon of filling across the corner of one end. Fold this corner up and over to form a triangle and enclose the filling. Fold over again, and continue until you have a triangular pastry parcel. Repeat with remaining filo and filling.

Arrange the böreks on a baking sheet. Brush with more melted butter and sprinkle with the seeds. Bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown.