This post is about a tasty component of the Eastern Road. The Eastern Road is the gateway connecting the Greek civilization with the East.
I confess that I am eternally fascinated by the multivaried taste of sujuk.
A good sujuk is like a door opening to a new world, for you to discover.
(Sujuk is a dry, dark, spicy sausage produced in the Balkans, Turkey and other countries like Armenia. It can be eaten raw, but I prefer to eat it cooked.)
I was lucky to receive a wonderful sujuk the other day, and by association I instinctively decided to create a sujuk borek.
The warmth, the enveloping flavours, the melting texture, make borek one of the all time favourites in my kitchen.
(Borek or Bourek is a baked or fried filled pastry made of thin dough.)
The filling of the sujuk borek comprises in addition to the sujuk: sliced tomatoes, sliced hard yellow cheese (I used Greek gruyere), and mint leaves.
The phyllo for the borek is made with flour, water, salt and a touch of olive oil. It has to be crispy and dry.
I place the sujuk on the phyllo, then the tomato slices, the mint leaves, and on top of everything the cheese.
I prefer to give the borek the shape of a baguette, as it is easier to bake and serve. If you prefer you can fry it, but baking is far superior for this dish.
The borek needs 20 minutes in 250 C and immediate serving, steaming hot.
It can be one of the most satisfying eating experiences.
Crispy crunchy phyllo, the Spartan side of the dish, partnered by the succulent flesh of the sujuk, flavoured by the mint leave, lubricated by the melted cheese and bound by the acidity of the tomato.
Accompany it with a glass of ouzo. Bon appetit!
