Boorma: Paklava’s deliciously delicate cousin (Be sure to check out the VIDEO!)

Name: Boorma
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 1-lb. pkg. fillo dough (at room temperature); 1 lb. walnuts or pistachio nuts (chopped); 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar; 1 tsp. cinnamon; 3 sticks unsalted butter (melted )

13 years ago

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If you like paklava, you’ll LOVE boorma.

Boorma, also spelled ‘bourma’, is made from the same ingredients as paklava, but with a unique shape, lighter taste and more delicate texture.

Aunt Arpie’s Boorma

My aunt Arpie Vartanesian has always been the boorma-maker in our family. I figured it was time to learn, so I asked her to show me the technique. For some reason, I always thought there was some great mystery behind making boorma, but, as it turns out, it’s really a cinch – as long as you have the right tool.

What tool? A wooden dowel (about 3/8“ in diameter and 18“ long), the kind that you can purchase at a home improvement center, is the key to shaping boorma. Auntie Arpie’s dowel was handed down from her mother, so it has made many-a boorma.

The recipe is pretty simple. Auntie Arpie graciously prepared the recipe on camera for all to enjoy.

So click here to see the VIDEO on YouTube and come along as we watch Auntie Arpie make this classic Armenian dessert.

Boorma

A cousin to the dessert Paklava, Boorma has a unique shape, a delicate crunch, but offers the same sweet, nutty taste.

Course Dessert

Prep Time 40 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Equipment

A long dowel to create the shape

Ingredients

1 1-lb. pkg. fillo dough at room temperature
1 lb. walnuts or pistachio nuts chopped
3 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 sticks unsalted butter melted

Instructions

Lay out the fillo dough on a work surface. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the dough and then a slightly moistened towel on top of the plastic wrap. This will keep the dough from becoming brittle while you work.
Mix the chopped nuts, sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
Take a single fillo sheet and fold it in half. Brush with melted butter, especially the edges.
Sprinkle a tablespoon of the nut mixture all over the dough.
Place the dowel on top of the dough at the end closest to you, and loosely roll the dowel away from you.
With one hand on either end of the dough, squeeze inward toward the middle, crinkling the dough.
Gently slide it off the dowel, and place on a greased baking sheet.
Continue to do this until all fillo sheets and filling are used.
Place individual boorma pieces on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until boorma is golden brown.
Cool completely.
Once the boorma is cooled, drizzle each one with simple syrup just before serving. The boorma will be slightly sweet, and crispy. (See recipe for easy Simple Syrup in the Notes section below.)

Notes

Here’s an easy recipe for Simple Syrup:

Simple Syrup:
2 cups sugar,
1 cup water,
a drop of lemon juice

Procedure:
Combine the sugar & water in a saucepan; stir. Heat over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved, then add lemon juice. Cool until ready to use.

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View Comments

Bonnie says:

May 30, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Auntie Arp: You go girl.
Bruce Hall says:

November 11, 2011 at 10:00 pm

Here is a slightly different version. The main difference is that the sugar syrup is replaced by pure honey.

http://hallofrecord.blogspot.com/2008/12/holidays-are-for-eating.html
Robyn says:

November 12, 2011 at 12:24 am

WOW! Bruce,Thanks so much for sharing this unique method of making boorma!
text your ex back says:

October 30, 2013 at 8:29 am

Thank you for sharing this information.