Cream Cheese and Olive Burek
Burek became known in the Balkans during the Turkish conquest, and each country developed its own version. In Greece, it is often prepared with cream cheese or olive filling, which perfectly reflects the Mediterranean flavor. In this version, the combination of soft cream cheese and distinctive olives creates a perfect harmony. Each bite of cream cheese burek is a memory – a taste of childhood that we never forget. The kitchen fills with a festive atmosphere while the burek slowly cooks. The secret to the perfect texture is layering and lightly brushing with oil: this makes it crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. If you want to vary it, you can also use capers or dried tomatoes in the filling.
Ingredients for this recipe
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Preparation Steps
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the burek from sticking and for easier cleanup.
2
Thinly slice the black olives. If using olives with pits, remove the pits first. Peel and finely grate or press the garlic.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, eggs, garlic, and salt. Mix until smooth, then add the sliced olives. This will be the burek filling. Tip: For a more intense flavor, add a pinch of black pepper.
4
Lay one filo pastry sheet on a work surface, brush with olive oil, and spread 2-3 tablespoons of the filling evenly over the sheet, being careful not to tear the pastry.
5
Gently roll up the filo sheet like a crepe, then coil it into a snail shape. Place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the process with the remaining filo sheets.
6
Brush the tops of the bureks with olive oil to help them brown nicely in the oven. Tip: For extra crispiness, lightly sprinkle with water after oiling.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown. Towards the end of the baking time, check if the bottoms are cooked through; if not, leave them in for a few more minutes.
8
Once removed from the oven, let them rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This will help the filling set and make slicing easier.
