Brick pastry, made from wheat flour, water and salt, has its origins in ancient Ottoman cuisine, where the technique for creating this delicate dough was developed. Its name comes from the French word ‘brique’ which means brick. This is due to its appearance, as this dough is stacked in sheets for the preparation of some dishes.
To obtain these sheets, the Ottomans used the technique of stretching the dough by hand until a thin paste was obtained. Unlike filo pastry, brick pastry is somewhat thicker.
What is brick pastry?
Brick pastry is made from wheat flour, water and a small amount of salt and oil. To achieve the crispy, well-defined texture, the dough is stretched and folded. This is done repeatedly until successive thin sheets are obtained, which contribute to its light, flaky texture.
Brick pastry comes in rectangular or square sheets and is appreciated for its ability to add texture and lightness to dishes. Thanks to its culinary versatility and its ability to adapt to a wide range of preparations and fillings, it can be used in a variety of both sweet and savoury dishes.
Variations of brick pastry
Thanks to its versatility, brick pastry has acquired several variations over time, some thicker than others, depending on the region and the specific recipe. These are some of the variants of brick pastry:
- Wholemeal brick pastry. Instead of using refined wheat flour, some versions of this pastry are made with whole wheat flour. This adds more fibre and nutrients to the dough.
- With spices. Some recipes incorporate spices directly into the dough, such as cumin or paprika, to give the pastry extra flavour.
- Multicoloured brick pastry. For more visual presentations, natural ingredients are added to the dough to create colourful versions. Spinach for green, beetroot for red or carrots for orange are the most common choices.
- Brick pastry in sheets. This is a dough that comes in the form of thin, stackable sheets that provide a crunchy texture. This type is very useful for foods such as samosas or spring rolls.
- Rolled. Unlike the previous one, this type comes in a continuous roll that is easier to handle for certain preparations, sizes and shapes.
Benefits and nutrients for the human body
Brick pastry is composed of ingredients that can be beneficial to health from a nutritional point of view. Some of these nutrients include the following
Protein
They provide essential amino acids and are a source of energy for the human body.
Rich in fibre
This pasta contains fibre, which is beneficial for health, as it improves digestive health, controls blood sugar and weight, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Vitamins and minerals
The wheat flour in brick pastry contains small amounts of B vitamins, such as vitamin B3 and folic acid. These provide benefits for energy metabolism, nerve function, red blood cell formation and cognitive function.
In addition, it provides minerals such as iron and zinc, which are important for preventing anaemia and transporting oxygen in the blood, as well as for development and growth and the immune system.
Dishes and culinary combinations of brick pastry
Brick pastry is a very versatile product that lends itself to a variety of dishes, both savoury and sweet. Here are some popular culinary combinations and dishes involving brick pastry:
- Tiropita. This is a pie made from brick pastry, filled with spinach, feta cheese, onion and herbs.
- Spring rolls. In Filipino cuisine, this pastry is used to make spring rolls filled with vegetables, meat or seafood.
- Brik a l’Oeuf. A dish from French cuisine, which involves a filling of egg and herbs in a slightly thicker brick pastry.
- Börek. A traditional Turkish dish made with layers of brick pastry rolled up and filled with minced meat, spinach, cheese and onion.
- Baklava. A traditional Middle Eastern dessert consisting of layers of filo pastry sandwiched with walnuts or almonds and dipped in honey syrup.
- Cinnamon rolls. This is a sweet dish made with brick dough rolled up with a filling of sugar, cinnamon and nuts and baked in the oven.
- Apple pie. It is an exquisite dessert with a base of brick pastry, accompanied by apples, sugar and cinnamon.
Premium brands
JR is a brand specialising in the production of brick, filo and Kataifi pastry in the traditional way. This French brand focuses its production on consumer-friendly products. JR is committed to quality and carefully selects every single ingredient for the production of its products. The simple and natural ingredients offered by JR give a crunchy texture to this pastry. In addition, it has several formats that adapt to multiple creations, such as: packets, samosas, puff pastries, pastries and a wide variety of other dishes.
