Spinach Banycki

Crispy Homemade Spinach Banycki (Balkan Borek)

Here is a wonderful recipe for crispy, homemade banycki that will disappear from the baking sheet the very second it comes out of the oven! Made with simple pantry staples, this traditional Balkan pastry fills the entire house with an incredible aroma and is guaranteed to become a new favorite. Whether you serve it for breakfast or during afternoon tea, it vanishes so fast you will find yourself wishing you made a double batch.

Do not let the idea of making dough from scratch intimidate you. This particular dough is incredibly soft, pliable, and easy to work with. Even if it is your very first time stretching dough, you will get a perfect, bakery-quality result. Let’s look at the ingredients and dive right into the step-by-step preparation.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 5 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups warm water

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon vinegar (apple cider or white vinegar)

For the Filling:

• 500 grams fresh spinach (finely chopped)

• 1 medium onion (finely diced)

• 150 grams feta cheese or curd cheese (lor)

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

• Salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (to taste)

For Layering and Topping:

• 150 grams butter (melted)

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil