Tunisian Brik Essential Mediterranean Recipes

TUNISIAN EGG BRIKS

Steps:

• Directions are given per brik.
• Place the phyllo sheet on a work surface. Phyllo is rectangular. Either cut it to make a square, or fold the phyllo so you work with a single layer sheet.
• Using only the top half of the phyllo sheet, spoon 1 tablespoonful of tuna onto the phyllo. Sprinkle 1/4 the amount of parmesan onto the tuna. (If using mashed potato, put 1/4 of the mashed potato onto the tuna and parmesan.) Dot 1 teaspoon of harissa around the mixture. Sprinkle on 1 tablespoon or less of parsley. Make sort of an open circle with the mixture.
• Now, crack open an egg, and drop it on this mixture in a way that the mixture won't let the egg white run out easily. The mixture should surround the egg.
• Fold the bottom half of the phyllo sheet over the top half. This will cover the whole mixture. Seal the edges with egg white as you make the fold. If you have excess pastry per brik, just fold the excess in towards the center of the brik; it will resemble an envelope.
• Slip this brik into hot oil. Fry 30 seconds on one side, or until the phyllo is a golden brown color. Turn it, and fry the other side, also 30 seconds, or until the color is golden brown.
• Continue with the other briks.
• Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze into every bite, salad and tomato.

TUNISIAN BRIKS (BREK)

Steps:

• To prepare the filling:
• 1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a medium mixing bowl and cool.
• 2. Add the tuna, capers, cheese, and parsley to the onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir to combine. Set aside.
• To assemble:
• 1. In a wide, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat, add enough oil to come up the sides of the pan about 1 1/2 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F for frying.
• 2. Quickly spread the egg roll wrappers out on a work surface and brush the edges with the egg white. Place a rounded spoonful of filling (2 to 3 tablespoons) just off center on each wrapper. Using a spoon, press a well into the center of the filling. Break an egg over each portion of filling, catching it in the well.
• 3. Carefully fold each egg roll over to form a triangle, keeping the egg inside its well. Press the edges together to seal closed. For a sturdier pocket, fold each rim over itself by about a 1/2 inch and press to seal.
• 4. Working in batches, gently slide the briks into the hot oil. Spoon hot oil over any dough that may not be submerged. Fry, turning gently as needed, until the briks are golden brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain the cooked briks on a cooling rack set over a sheet pan while the others finish cooking. Serve warm with wedges of lemon.

JAMIE OLIVER'S TUNISIAN BRIK (PHYLLO WITH SWEET POTATOES)

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6. Wash the sweet potatoes and bake them, in their skins, in the preheated oven until cooked and soft. Allow to cool (leaving the oven on), then peel and mash them.
• Bash up 1 teaspoon of the coriander seeds and the chillies in a pestle and mortar. Stir with the cinnamon into the mashed sweet potato and season well. Fold the spring onions and beaten egg into the mashed potato.
• Gently melt the butter in a pan. Bash up the remaining coriander seeds. Brush a sheet of filo with some melted butter and sprinkle with a pinch of ground cinnamon and a little of the ground coriander. Cover with the second sheet, and brush and sprinkle as before. Repeat for the third sheet. With a sharp knife, cut the stacked filo sheets into two 15cm squares.
• Working quickly to prevent the pastry from drying, do the same with the remaining filo sheets. You should now have four squares of filo. Place a generous tablespoon of the sweet potato mixture in the centre of each square and spread out slightly. Brush the edges of each square with water and fold in half, corner to corner, to make a triangle. Press down at the edges to seal. Brush both sides of each triangle with the rest of the melted butter, place on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven until light brown - this will take about 10 minutes.
• Mix the red onion with the watercress, mint and parsley. Mix the yoghurt with the lemon juice, a lug of olive oil and the cumin. Dress the salad with the yoghurt dressing and serve with the hot filo briks and the lemon halves.