Amazing bourekas filled with cheese and topped with tasty sesame seeds. Life is full heartwarming moments. Whether we are part of them or we're just there to witness them, they happen more often than we think. All we have to do is open our eyes and pay attention.
A few days ago I witnessed one of those moments that I thought it was worth sharing. Nothing big, but something you don't see too often nowadays unfortunately.
I was sitting at a park doing some work when I saw a father and a son, must have been 6 or 7 years old, ride their bikes and stop near by. They sat together on the grass for a good half an hour, just chatting. They then got up and started playing soccer for a little while. Then sat again, and continued talking. They must have been there for at least an hour and a half. The kid had his father's attention the entire time. He didn't look at his phone, or seemed at all distracted, not for a single second. They hopped on their bikes and left.
I couldn't help it but to watch them with a smile on my face. How often do we see something like that anymore?
It made me think of our grandmother, Abuelita. For years, she stayed with us during our summer vacation while our parents were away. She always gave us her undivided attention, all the time. No distractions. Just absolute pure, love and dedication.
Of the many (many) delicious treats she used to make for us, the one we will always remind us of her the most are these cheese bourekas. The absolute best we've ever had. Even our neighbors used to get all excited knowing she would be coming to visit, hoping she would bake a batch for them!
Give them a try and we're sure you will love them too.
Enjoy!
How to make bourekas
Roll out the dough on a floured surface, about ⅛ inch thick 
Using a glass or cookie cutter, cut out 3.5 inch rounds 
Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of filling in the center 
Fold it to create a half moon 
Seal the edges using your fingers or a fork 
Brush with beaten egg, sprinkle sesame seeds on top and bake at 350F for 15 minutes 
Baked and covered in sesame seeds
Other Middle Eastern Food Recipes
- Fattoush Salad
- Watermelon Feta salad
- Hummus
- Deconstructed Hummus
- Tabbouleh (Tabouli) Salad
- Maamoul
- Semolina borekas
- Knafeh
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Bourekas (Cheese Sambousek)
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 to 28 1x
Description
Amazing cheese-filled bourekas with delicious cheese and topped with tasty sesame seeds. Life is full of heartwarming moments. Whether we are part of them or we're just there to witness them, they happen more often than we think. All we have to do is open our eyes and pay attention.
Ingredients
- For the dough:
- 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 16 tbsp cold butter, diced
- Pinch of salt
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp ice cold water
- For the filling:
- 5oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 6oz sheep's milk feta cheese
- 2 eggs, beaten separately
- ⅛ tsp salt
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- To prepare the dough, combine flour, butter, and salt in a food processor. Pulse a few times until it resembles coarse cornmeal
- In a small bowl, lightly beat egg and cold water. Pour into flour/butter mixture and pulse until it forms a dough.
- Lightly flatten the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes
- In the meantime, prepare the filling. Combine cheddar and feta cheeses with one beaten egg and salt. Mix well
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface, about ⅛ inch thick. Using a glass or cookie cutter, cut out 3.5 inch rounds
- Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of filling in the center, fold it to create a half-moon, and seal the edges using your fingers or a fork
- Brush with beaten egg, sprinkle sesame seeds on top and bake at 350F for 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
cindele says
These borekas are the most heavenly tasting treat... worth the work! You must use butter to get this special flavor... I couldn't stay away from them!!
★★★★★
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
These abuelitas looking outstanding! Honestly, even more wonderful than this fabulous recipe, though, is the sweet, sweet story of the little boy and his daddy. In our hurry-up world, we so often forget to really give people our full attention - we're too busy multitasking. Your story is a great reminder of how much our kiddos value the special feeling that we care enough about them to give them our full, 100% attention. So sweet. 😀
Ronnie Fein says
What wonderful memories. I hope my grandchildren say the same about me one day! As for the borekas. - I've never made these but they are similar to tiropitas, which I know are fabulous. These are so pretty too.
Vicky & Ruth says
Thanks Ronnie. We have the best memories of our Abuelita. And she always ,made THE best food. I'm sure your grandchildren will feel the same about you 🙂
Leah Hadad says
I love the story and adore these sambousek! Tempted to try to make them.
Couldn't Be Parve says
The only thing better than a cheese borukea is one made with love. Your story put a smile on my face.
diek says
Hi Vicky and Ruth,
My mother (1906) used to add lots of chopped parsely to its filling.
I still can taste them eyes shut.
Besides: far more healty...
★★★★
Vicky & Ruth says
So interesting, we will definitely try Sambousek with parsley. We love the idea!
Mary Eloise Suncin says
Thank you for sharing your Abuelita's savory bourgeois. I have not prepared them yet although, I plan to soon. At this time, I'm preparing your delicious Hearty spiced chickpea, lentil, and root vegetable soup. However, I had read your story behind your abuelita's recipe and it melted my heart since it reminded me of my abuelita. I enjoy reading your stories behind every recipe I have tried. Thank you so much sharing such wonderful memories behind every recipe. May continue you continue to share many more of your family's stories. Have you all thought of writing book?
★★★★★
Vicky and Ruth says
Hi Mary Eloise, thank you so much for your kind words. Let us know how you like the recipe when you make it. We did write a book, here's the link. It's called Tahini & Turmeric. https://mayihavethatrecipe.com/tahini-and-turmeric-cookbook/
Cara Vainish says
Just made these, simply wonderful. I love them.
★★★★★
Vicky and Ruth says
Thank you so much. It would make our grandmother really proud!