Brik (/briːk/ BREEK; بريك) or burek is the north African version of borek, a stuffed filo pastry[1] which is commonly deep fried. The best-known version is the egg brik, a whole egg in a triangular pastry pocket with chopped onion, tuna, harissa and parsley.[2] With a slightly different shape, but with identical ingredients and method of preparation, the brik is known in Algeria and Libya as bourek (بوراك).[3] Brik is also very popular in Israel, due to the large Tunisian Jewish population there. It is often filled with a raw egg and herbs or tuna, harissa and olives and is sometimes served in a pita. This is also known as a boreeka.[4]
| Main ingredients | Eggs, pastry |
|---|---|
Brik pastry is made by slapping a sticky lump of dough onto a hot non-stick surface in overlapping circles to produce the desired size and cooked for a short amount of time. The brik dough sheets are called malsouka or warka. Typical fillings include tuna, ground meat, raw egg, chicken, or anchovies garnished with harissa, capers, or cheese.[5]
Although the foods origins are hard to trace directly, it dates back at least 500 years in the past.[6] In addition to its unclear origins, it also not known by a singular name; across the Middle East even now, the popular food can be referred to as bric, börek, burek, warqa or malsouka.[6] The common ingredients in every brik – regardless of how it is called – include the deep fried pastry crust and proteins (like tuna or egg) encased within the wrapping, such as the common French spin known as brik a l'oeuf.[7]
To prepare a classic Tunisian Brik, one must fold the outer pastry into triangle shapes, stuff the mixed ingredients into the wrapper, and then heat them in a frying pan for two to three minutes on each side.[8]
Cuisine of Tunisia | |
|---|---|
| Breads, dishes, and soups |
|
| Ingredients | |
| Beverages |
|
| Desserts and pastries |
|
| Related |
|
Jewish cuisine | |
|---|---|
| History |
|
| Types |
|
| Religious dietary laws and related terms |
|
| Chefs | |
| Religious foods |
|
| Ashkenazi breads | |
| Sephardi and Mizrahi breads |
|
| Ethiopian Jewish breads | |
| Bagels and similar breads |
|
| Pancakes | |
| Cakes and other desserts |
|
| Cookies |
|
| Pastries | |
| Fried foods |
|
| Dumplings, pastas and grain dishes |
|
| Casseroles and savory baked dishes |
|
| Snacks and other baked goods |
|
| Sandwiches |
|
| Egg dishes |
|
| Meat dishes |
|
| Fish dishes |
|
| Salads and pickles |
|
| Vegetable dishes | |
| Soups and stews |
|
| Cheeses and other dairy products |
|
| Condiments, dips and sauces |
|
| Beverages |
|
| Herbs, spices and seasonings |
|
| Related lists |
|
| |
Israeli cuisine | |
|---|---|
List of dishes | |
| History |
|
| Fruits and vegetables |
|
| Other ingredients | |
| Cheeses |
|
| Breads | |
| Salads |
|
| Pasta |
|
| Fish |
|
| Soups |
|
| Meat |
|
| Sandwiches | |
| Dips and mezze |
|
| Grains and side dishes |
|
| Fried foods |
|
| Desserts | |
| Alcohol | |
| Other drinks |
|
| Israeli restaurants domestically and abroad |
|
African cuisine | |
|---|---|
| National cuisines |
|
| Ethnic and regional cuisines |
|
| Lists |
|
| |