Brika Tunisian Turnovers Recipes

BRIKA: TUNISIAN TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Combine tuna, mashed potatoes, scallions, parsley, cilantro, feta, eggs, ground caraway, ground coriander, tumeric, garlic powder, capers, and salt and pepper. Mix well so all ingredients are mashed together.
• Place 2 cups of oil into a frying pan and heat.
• Open egg roll wraps (but leave them covered with a damp towel so they will not dry out).
• Take out 1 wrapper and spoon about 3 tablespoons onto 1/2 of the wrap. Fold to form a triangle.
• Repeat with the filling and wrappers until you have exhausted the mixture.
• Place the brika into the hot oil and fry until it is all white on top.
• Turn the brika over and continue frying until light golden in color.
• Remove brika and place on a paper towel to drain the excess oil.

CHEDDAR-CHIVE TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Mix 3 tablespoons melted butter with a pinch of salt and cayenne. Lay out rounds of refrigerated biscuit dough on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush with the butter; top with shredded cheddar and chopped chives. Fold into half-moons and crimp to seal, then bake as the label directs. Brush with more butter.

SPINACH AND PANEER TURNOVERS WITH MANGO BASIL CHUTNEY

Steps:

• For the turnovers: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put the cumin seeds into a small skillet over medium heat and toast them until they are aromatic, about 30 seconds. Put into a bowl along with the flour and salt and stir to combine. Add 3 tablespoons oil and 1/4 cup water and begin kneading, adding a little more water if there is excess flour and it seems too dry. Continue to knead the dough until it is smooth and soft. Cover loosely with a towel and set aside.
• Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and golden, about 3 minutes. Add the fenugreek seeds and garam masala and continue to stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add the spinach and season with salt. Stir until the spinach has wilted, and then transfer into a large bowl. Let cool, and then crumble the paneer into it. Stir gently to combine.
• Cut the dough into 6 pieces and roll each one out into a very thin circle, like a tortilla. Cut into 3 even strips and brush the edges with a bit of water. Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each strip. Fold the dough over the filling and then seal tightly. Place the turnovers onto a lightly oiled or nonstick baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, for the chutney: Put the basil, ginger, vinegar, cardamom, Five-Spice Blend, chili, mango, lime juice, salt and sugar in a blender and pulse until smooth. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until serving.
• Serve the turnovers with the mango and basil chutney.
• Toast the peppercorns in a hot pan until they are aromatic, about 1 minute. Put into an electric spice grinder along with the star anise, cloves and fennel seeds and process into a powder. Add the cinnamon and process for a few seconds to combine. Store in an airtight jar.

TUNISIAN POTATO TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Boil potatoes in salted water until they mash easily, about 15 minutes.
• Drain and mash with potato masher until smooth.
• In small frying pan over medium heat, stir onion and garlic in oil until onion is very limp, about 10 minutes.
• Cook slowly--reduce heat if it starts to brown.
• When onions are soft, stir in potatoes, parsley, cilantro, capers, salt and pepper.
• In a small bowl, beat egg yolk to blend; add to potato mixture and mix well.
• In another small bowl, beat egg white to blend.
• Cut egg egg roll wrapper into four squares (keep covered with plastic wrap until ready to use or it will dry out).
• Place about 1 1/2 teaspoons potato mixture in the center of each square.
• Brush edges lightly with egg white.
• Fold each square diagionally over filling to form a triangle; pinch edges to seal.
• Pour 2 inches of oil into a heavy 5-quart pan over medium heat.
• When oil reaches 375 degrees F, using a slotted spoon or a mesh basket and working in batches of 6 to 12 (cook only what will fit easily in one layer) lower pastries into oil.
• Fry until golden brown, turning once, 3 to 5 minutes total.
• Transfer to paper towel-lined baking sheets to a 200 degree F oven and keep warm up to 30 minutes.
• Allow oil to return to 375 degrees F before you put in next batch.

TUNISIAN BRIK

Steps:

• Place potato in salted water to cover, bring to a boil and cook until tender. Drain, and mash with olive oil.
• Heat 2 cups of grapeseed or canola oil in deep 10-inch skillet to 350 degrees.
• Place spring-roll wrapper on saucer. Place 3 tablespoons of mashed potatoes in middle, flattening the center to make a well. Dab it with 1/4 teaspoon harissa if desired. Sprinkle with some capers and parsley.
• Break an egg into the center. Taking care so that none of the egg seeps out, fold over one point of the spring-roll wrapper to meet the opposite point, to make a triangle.
• Gently slip the filled brik off the saucer and into the hot oil. Cook a minute or so, until golden on the underside, turn over and cook about another minute. Remove from the oil with a spatula, and drain briefly on absorbent paper. Prepare the remaining briks, fry them and serve while still hot, with lemon wedges.

TUNISIAN BRIK (ESSENTIAL MEDITERRANEAN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F Metl the butter in a small frying pan and cool the onion over low heat until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the onion, tuna, capers, parsley and parmesan in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cut the filo pastry sheets in half widthways. Layer four of the half-sheets together, brushing each with melted butter. Keep the remaining pastry covered with a tamp towel.
• Spoon half the tuna mixture onto one end of the buttered pastry, leaving a border. Made a well in the center of the mixture and carefully break an egg into the well, being careful not to break it. Season with salt and pepper.
• Layer two more sheets of the filo together, brushing with melted butter, and place on top of the tuna and egg. Fold in the pastry sides, then roll into a firm parcel, keeping the egg intact.
• Place on a lightly greased baking tray and brush with melted butter. Repeat with the remaining pastry, filling and egg.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• NOTE: the yolk is still soft after 15 minutes. If you like your eggs firmer, bake for a little longer.