Why it works: Cheese and butter are a kitchen classic. They rank in the top 8% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 7,962 recipes. Both carry delta-dodecalactone, which smells sweet, creamy. The science ↓
Burek
Ingredients
Directions
Prepare
Mix the cheeses, eggs, and pepper together. Set aside.
Use a large soufflé or a deep pie dish. Oil the bottom of the pan.
Layer and bake
Put one sheet of filo dough over the bottom. Brush butter over the filo dough.
Repeat the previous step, adding filling between sheets, until all filo sheets and cheese are used.
Top with butter and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 45–55 minutes.
Check periodically and brush additional butter on the top.
Serve
Serve in small triangles or enjoy as a dinner dish with a green salad.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
What these numbers assume: 6 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Ricotta Cheese | 1/2 cup (124g) part-skim | 174 |
| Olive Oil | 1 tbsp (14g) | 119 |
| Cheese | 1 oz (28g) cheddar | 113 |
| Butter | 1 tbsp (14g) | 102 |
| Egg | 1 large egg (50g) | 78 |
| Black Pepper | 1 tsp ground (2.3g) | 6 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
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Cheese + buttertop 8% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together7,962 recipes
Shared aroma: delta-dodecalactone (sweet, creamy).
-
Ricotta cheese + cheesetop 15% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together228 recipes
Shared aroma: 1-octen-3-one (mushroom, metallic).
-
Egg + buttertop 17% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together118,967 recipes
Shared aroma: decanal (soap, orange peel).
-
Cheese + peppertop 18% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together7,861 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (earthy, pea).
-
Pepper + buttertop 21% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together85,593 recipes
Shared aroma: trans-2-nonenal (cardboard, fatty).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Filo dough
- Forms thin, flaky layers that crisp and separate the filling when baked.
- Eggs
- Bind the cheese mixture so it sets into a sliceable custard-like filling.
- Ricotta cheese
- Adds moisture and creaminess to the filling.
- Butter
- Adds fat that helps the filo turn golden and crisp as it bakes.
The step that matters
Brushing each filo sheet with butter. Butter coats each layer so the sheets separate and crisp rather than sticking together or turning soggy under the moist cheese filling.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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