Ground Meat Phyllo Pie
January 28, 2009 at 7:57 PM 60 comments
This is a recipe that my mom learned from a distant relative who lives in eygpt … and while researching for a name for it i discovered that its actually of Turkish origin and is known as borek … wasnt really surprised after all alot of our cuisines are similar … its very easy to make and is perfect fo entertaining .. its really tasty and crunchy… to make it you will need:
- 1 pack phyllo dough ( 500 gms.)
- 1lb minced meat (beef or lamb .. whichever u prefer)
- 2 tb butter or ghee
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup bell pepper (capsicum), chopped
- 1 tb tomato paste
- 1/2 ts all spice
- Salt and pepper
- 3/4 cup milk
- Butter or Ghee (cant really say how much .. its for brushing between layers .. around 1/2 cup maybe or lesser)
We will start by making the filling …
So in a pot melt the butter or ghee… then add the onion and cook until translucent …
Add the minced meat and stir until cooked …
When the meat is cooked … add the bell pepper(capsicum) and stir well …
Now season the mixture with the all-spice, salt and pepper .. then add the tomato paste … and mix well .. then set it aside ..
Now for the pie itself ..
Melt the extra butter or ghee and set it aside…
Brush a baking sheet with the melted butter … then place a sheet or two of phyllo dough … and brush it again with butter …
Repeat placing the phyllo dough sheets and brushing with butter between layers until half the amount of dough has been used …
Then place all the filling (minced meat mixture) … and spread it to cover all the dough …
Then again repeat with layering and brushing with butter between layers until the phyllo dough is over …
Now i did the mistake of brushing the last top layer with butter … but u shouldnt … instead … add the milk to it .. .. this will help it get a nice golden color…
I know 3/4 of a cup might seem like alot of milk to add … but its not … this makes it moist enough for u to be able to slice it later on … if u dont add it .. it will be too crisp and will break when u slice it ..
Bake it at medium heat for 30 mins … until the bottom and top are golden color …
Let it cool down a little .. then slice it into squares ..
Enjoy 
…
Entry filed under: Recipe. Tags: arab, arabic, Arabic Food, baking, borek, cooking, dough, fillo dough, filo dough, Food, ground meat phyllo pie, ground meat pie, minced meat phyllo pie, minced meat pie, phyllo dough, Recipe, Recipes, step by step photos, step by step recipe.
1. megan | January 28, 2009 at 9:30 PM
This looks delicious, and very simple to make. I’ll be trying it next time I go to the grocery store!
2. limeandlemon | January 28, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Thanx Megan … let me know how it turns out when u get to try it ..
3. whatcheernetop | January 28, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Oh, yum! I think they make something like this in the book Pomegranate Soup, it is a novel that ends each chapter with a recipe.
I love they way you show step by step photographs with your recipe, very Jacques Pépin!
4. biz319 | January 28, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Wow, I’ve never heard of that before!
I used to be afraid of phyllo dough – not anymore!
5. limeandlemon | January 29, 2009 at 1:16 AM
Thanks Whatcheernetop… Im glad u like it … stay in touch
Oh yea … I got curious about the book “Pomegranate Soup” and googled it … it sounds like a very interesting one …
6. limeandlemon | January 29, 2009 at 1:21 AM
Thanx Biz319 … Well phyllo is a very easy dough to handle ..that only thing is that u have to make sure it doesnt dry out … and that as simple as covering it with a towel … let me know what u think of it when u get to try it … stay in touch
7. kirsten | January 29, 2009 at 3:01 AM
Hiya! Thanks for visiting our blog. We will add you on our blogroll.
cheers
Dan and Tuesday
8. Amanda | January 29, 2009 at 5:58 AM
Oh that looks so GOOD!!! I can’t wait to try it!
Amanda (Flavors of Home)
9. Donna | January 29, 2009 at 6:51 AM
I have not heard of this, but it sure looks tasty. I bet it is wonderful with the phyllo!!
10. heyclaire | January 29, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Another hit! Your blog is so professional-looking. I love coming here. This is another one of your recipes I will definitely be making. I have used phyllo dough and, for me, a little canola oil in between layers works fine and has less cholesterol ( my problem). Tomorrow I will be trying out your dough recipe, and I may use this filling idea and shape it into a football shape for this Sunday’s Super Bowl. I’ll let you know how I make out.
11. melt19 | January 29, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Hi Laila, looks yummy. I’ve been buying this from the farmers market outside my office, but now I’ll have to try making it myself.
Melissa (Little Beans)
12. limeandlemon | January 29, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Thanx kristen …. stay in touch
13. limeandlemon | January 29, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Amanda: Thanx alot … let me know how it turns out … stay in touch
14. limeandlemon | January 29, 2009 at 2:04 PM
It sure is Donna … its nice and crunchy .. emmm .. u really should give it a try
15. limeandlemon | January 29, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Thanx Claire … let me know how it turns out ..
16. limeandlemon | January 29, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Thanx Melissa … let me know how it turns out when u get to try it … stay in touch
17. laurennichole | January 29, 2009 at 7:24 PM
This sounds wonderful! Always looking for new ground beef recipes. I’ll have to definitely try this out!
18. sleepycathollow | January 29, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Thank you for stopping by ~
This is a great site! Love your recipes. I’ve tacked you onto my blog so I can visit often.
Printed a few recipes out…this one sound very good.
19. limeandlemon | January 29, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Thanx Laurennichole …Let me know how it turns out ..
20. limeandlemon | January 29, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Thanx Sleepycathollow … im glad u like it … let me know if u try anything from my blog … stay in touch …
21. sarabclever | January 29, 2009 at 11:41 PM
I have been trying to clear out the freezer and in fact was wondering today what to do with that phyllo dough I bought. Burek, yum! I had it in Bosnia (where it must obviously be coming from the Turkish influence)–there was cheese, spinach, meat, and even potato (talk about carbohydrates: a potato burek? But filling). Thanks for the great idea!
22. limeandlemon | January 30, 2009 at 1:16 AM
Thanx Sarabclever …glad to hear from u again … well u r right .. it has alot of different fillings and i know its not the healthiest thing to eat .. but it sure is tasty … let me know how it turns out .. and stay in touch
23. Elra | January 30, 2009 at 2:20 AM
I love this B’stilla, it’s my family favorite. I normally make this with ground lamb. Never tried it with beef though. It must tastes delicious too.
Cheers,
Elra
24. limeandlemon | January 30, 2009 at 2:28 AM
Thank you Elra … stay in touch
25. Cas | January 30, 2009 at 2:55 AM
Oh wow! This looks wonderful! *drools* I will definitely be trying this one… thank you.
26. limeandlemon | January 30, 2009 at 2:59 AM
Thanx Cas … let me know how it turns ..
27. barefootster | January 30, 2009 at 3:16 AM
I wish it’s easier to find these type of ingredients. Am dying to try these recipes, phyllo, tabbouleh, hummus… I miss these kind of food. Thanks for stopping by
28. limeandlemon | January 30, 2009 at 3:19 AM
I hope u get to find the ingredients Barefooteter.. maybe there is a specialty store or something … well stay in touch
29. NaplesGirl | January 30, 2009 at 4:45 AM
Hey Laila -
I haven’t used phyllo dough before. I have been a little afraid to tackle a recipe with it. But you have convinced me to try. Keep up the great posts!
30. limeandlemon | January 30, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Thanx NaplesGirl.. glad to hear from you again… i used to be afraid of using it too but its actually very easy to handle … just make sure to get a good brand … you really should try it … Let me know how it turns out …
31. Mina | January 30, 2009 at 6:03 PM
yummy!!!! sounds right up my alley….!
32. limeandlemon | January 30, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Thanx Mina .. stay in touch
33. Chef Danielle | January 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM
This looks incredibly delicious! I may have to face my fear of phyllo and give it a try.
34. limeandlemon | January 31, 2009 at 1:25 AM
Thanx Chef Danielle … let me know how that goes
… and stay in touch
35. heyclaire | January 31, 2009 at 6:10 AM
Yummy and easy!! What more could you ask for?
Love all your authentic meals!!
36. limeandlemon | January 31, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Thanx Claire …
37. Narendra | January 31, 2009 at 8:28 PM
hey thats so nice of you..now i need to show this to my mom….cant resist….god!!!
38. limeandlemon | January 31, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Thanx Narendra… Im glad u like it … Let me know how it turns out when u get to try it ..Stay in touch
39. Narendra | January 31, 2009 at 8:31 PM
can vegetables be substituted for that meat??i mean vegetarian and all..!you kno..!!!
40. limeandlemon | January 31, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Yea i think it can work .. but i never personally tried it .. There are people who fill it with even spinach and cheese … but i think if u try it with vegs it will turn nice … maybe saute the onion with carrots, potatoes (all cut into really small cubes) .. Then add the bell peppers, spices and tomato sauce … I think this will make a good filling … i will even try to make this soon
.. let me know how it turns out when u get to try it … 
41. ilanadavita | February 1, 2009 at 2:18 AM
That looks great!
42. food-cook | February 1, 2009 at 12:30 PM
hi again.
looking good as always. for those who keep dailry from meat.
you could use margerine instead of ghee or butter.
thanks!
43. limeandlemon | February 2, 2009 at 1:14 AM
Thanx Food-cook … hope u try it and let me know how it turns
44. limeandlemon | February 2, 2009 at 1:15 AM
Thanx ilanadavita
… stay in touch
45. US | February 2, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Hi, I’m just passing by via alphainventions.
Your blog has some nice elaborate recipes, and I very much like the fact that the pictures don’t look manipulated or stylized like they usually do in traditional cook books (if they have pictures).
Keep up the good work.
46. limeandlemon | February 2, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Thanx US … im glad u like it … stay in touch
47. meeso | February 3, 2009 at 2:59 AM
Yum, I am so glad to have found all these recipes, so tempting and delicious!
48. limeandlemon | February 3, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Thanx Meeso … let me know when u get to try it ..:-)
49. onlinepastrychef | February 3, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Wow! Put anything between phyllo, and I’m happy! This sounds wonderful! There’s something about the combination of lamb, dairy and dough that is very comforting!
50. limeandlemon | February 3, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Onlinepastrychef: it sure is a comfort food … simple to make … and very tasty … let me know if u try it …
51. Sarah | February 4, 2009 at 10:32 PM
i love phyllo. never knew about the milk thing though! i think i might try this out.
52. limeandlemon | February 4, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Let me know how it turns Sarah ..
53. carolg1849 | February 8, 2009 at 8:09 PM
All your recipes are mouthwaterinly gorgeous, I just adore this kind of food. So Many interesting recipes that I will enjoy trying out. Thanks for sharing
54. limeandlemon | February 8, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Thanx Carolg1849… Im glad you like it .. let me know how it turns out
.. stay in touch
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56. sleepycathollow | February 9, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Laila ~ this turned out very good. I made it last night for dinner. The only thing I did different was the addtion of some feta cheese that I had to use up soon…so I added it on top of the meat mixture before add the top layer of phyllo.
I made a salad of sliced cucumbers and red onions with garlic red wine vinegar to go along with it.
My husband says Thank You for sharing the recipe. He’s quite enjoying all the new recipes that I’ve been trying.
57. limeandlemon | February 9, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Im really glad you enjoyed it .. i bet the feta gave it a nice taste … and your salad sounds like a delicious side dish … im really happy with your feedback
… stay in touch 
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59. Dexter | February 15, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Very good recipe..keep em coming…cheers
60. limeandlemon | February 15, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Thanx Dexter …stay in touch