Chiburekki

Preparation

Cheburek is a half round shaped börek, filled with a very thin layer of ground beef or lamb which has been seasoned with ground onion and black pepper. The meat is layered thin enough that it will cook fully when the sealed half-moon pocket is fried in sunflower oil or corn oil. The dough, made from flour, salt, and water, is soft and pliable, but not sticky. The dough is separated into small balls and each is rolled out with a thin rolling pin. Additional flour is added only as needed to prevent the dough from sticking.

Variations

Cheburek is called çiğ börek ("raw börek") in Turkey. It is very popular in places where a Tatar community exists, especially in Eskişehir.

Töbörek is another Tatar variety, that is basically a çiğ börek that is baked in a masonry oven instead of being fried in oil.