Easy Croatian Burek is a delectable pastry dish that hails from Croatia. This recipe offers a simplified version of the traditional burek, making it accessible to home cooks. The dish features a flaky phyllo pastry filled with a savory mixture of ground meat and cheese, resulting in a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe will guide you to create a mouthwatering burek that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 package of store-bought phyllo pastry sheets (defrosted)
• 1 pound ground beef or lamb
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup grated feta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula or spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
4. Sprinkle paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper over the meat mixture. Stir well to combine the flavors. Remove the skillet from heat and set it aside to cool slightly.
5. Take a sheet of phyllo pastry and place it on a clean surface. Brush the surface with melted butter using a pastry brush. Layer another sheet of phyllo pastry on top and brush it with butter. Repeat this process until you have used half of the phyllo pastry sheets.
6. Spread half of the meat mixture evenly over the layered phyllo pastry sheets. Sprinkle half of the grated feta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and chopped parsley on top.
7. Layer the remaining phyllo pastry sheets on top of the meat and cheese mixture, brushing each sheet with melted butter as before.
8. Spread the remaining meat mixture over the phyllo pastry and sprinkle the remaining cheeses and parsley on top.
9. Fold the edges of the phyllo pastry towards the center, creating a sealed package. Brush the top with melted butter.
10. Place the burek in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes or until the pastry turns golden brown and crispy.
11. Once cooked, remove the burek from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before cutting it into slices. Serve warm and enjoy the delightful flavors of your Easy Croatian Burek!

Note: You can also experiment with different fillings, such as spinach and cheese or potato and onion, to add variety to your burek.