RFCJ RECIPE ARCHIVE
Posted by : Karen Selwyn Borekas, Potato & Mushroom Filled - pareve
This recipe for borekas comes from a kosher restaurant in Oak Park, Michigan called Taste of Israel. The frozen puff pastry in the ingredient list is a clear indication this is a modern adaptation of the classic recipe. According to Gil Marks, the traditional pastry crust would be oil pastry (Masa Aceite/Ail Teig). In Ashenazi cuisine, oil pastry is used to make knishes and piroshki. In Sephardic cuisine, oil pastry is used to make pastels and huevos de Haman. The filling in this recipe is one of many possibile fillings, including spinach, eggplant and cheese, eggplant and tomato, and meat. Karen Selwyn * * * * * * * Potato and Mushroom Borekas Filling: 3 medium Idaho or russet potatoes, peeled, quartered and boiled 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped onion 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced Salt and pepper to taste 1 egg, optional Vegetable oil cooking spray 1 pound frozen puff pastry, thawed 1 egg, beaten Mash the boiled potatoes and set aside. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion and mushrooms and saute until very soft, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the mashed potatoes, salt, pepper and, if desired, the egg. Stir to combine. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Meanwhile, place one sheet of the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Lightly flour a rolling pin and roll the pastry into a 12-inch-by-12-inch square. Cut the square into 9 pieces, each about 4 inches by 4 inches. Repeat with second pastry sheet. Place a heaping tablespoon of the potato mixture in the center of each pastry square. Fold pastry diagonally over the filling. Press or crimp edges together to seal. Place triangles on prepared baking sheet and brush with beaten egg. Repeat with remaining pastry squares. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden. Remove from the oven and serve. Makes 18 borekas. Source: "When It's Time for a Bite to Eat, On-the-Run Israelis Take to the Streets" Annabel Cohen DETROIT FREE PRESS (on-line edition), 5/13/98
