Love story

A lot can happen on a journey, anything is possible as long as you are willing to embrace the adventure and remain curious and open.

A few weeks ago, I had one of those magical moments.

I can still remember it as if it were yesterday. I had just arrived in a big foreign city, Zagreb. It was here that we first met.

I was strolling aimlessly through the streets of the old town. Past souvenir stands, bars, and restaurants. At that time, I had no idea that my life would soon take a 180-degree turn. There are no coincidences. It was fate, destiny, part of a higher plan.

Near the marketplace, my gaze randomly fell on a small bakery. Through the shop window, I saw a wonderful selection of different pastries, which, judging by their appearance, were made with traditional craftsmanship typical of the region. Delicate cakes, tarts, and plenty of other delicious sweet and savory foods were visible behind the counter. It was like a dream. Before I could make a conscious decision, I entered the bakery. It was now right in front of my eyes, all these savory-sweet dishes of divine origin.

Just like on a date where there is already a spark, excitement and anticipation can initially lead to a slight overwhelm, but subconsciously, you already feel a familiar feeling. The universe wants to redirect your life and shower you with lots of love.

Inside the store, the friendly saleswoman greeted me and asked for my order. The moment I realized that I wasn't in a dream. For the lady behind the counter, it must have looked like I had smoked too much marijuana and suddenly woke up in Alice in Wonderland. I was completely sober, but also completely amazed by what was happening.

I now had to decide among all the delicacies. I would have loved to simply say: 'one of each, please,' but that would have been a bit excessive given the large selection, and it might have unnecessarily reinforced the assumption of the attendant that I was heavily stoned.

I tried to remain calm.

I let my eyes wander over all the treats. From left to right and back again. Like crossing a street. One of these delicious pastries caught my attention, even though it looked rather inconspicuous at first glance. Its appearance and shape seemed strangely familiar to me. It looked temptingly crispy on the outside. Probably puff pastry. I could only guess what was inside, but I was about to find out, with all my senses.

With wide eyes and a big smile, I pointed to the object of my desire.

Fried and filled with feta cheese and/or spinach. Alternatively, for those who still eat meat in 2023, it is also available with minced meat filling.

I was actually quite sure that I had heard the name of this 'pastry' before.

I thought it was something with B, as the bakery saleswoman pronounced the name. BUREK.

Of course, BUREK. It was music to my ears. Beethoven's 9th Symphony and Céline Dion's 'I am Alive,' simultaneously.

Although this love story is dedicated solely to Burek or Börek, I would like to mention that I also had a sweet piece of corn cake wrapped up for me.

Impatiently, I left the store. I wanted to find a nice spot as quickly as possible where I could devote myself undisturbed to the pastry of my dreams.

As mentioned before, I was quite impatient, which is why I settled for the nearest park bench.

What followed was an act of pure love. Bite by bite. It was a feeling as if we had known each other forever. Time stood still.

The combination of the crispy, greasy puff pastry in combination with the juicy filling may be simple in terms of its ingredients, but for my taste buds, it is a blessing. By the way, I chose the classic cheesy version.

From now on, Burek should accompany me as a loyal partner, as the new constant in my life.

From now on, I seized every opportunity to relive that feeling from back then. It's the ideal snack in every situation. Easy to eat on the go. Whether hungry or not. Morning or evening.

This Balkan pastry is widespread here and available almost everywhere. I actually knew it as Börek, as it is called in Turkey. If I were ever to get these five letters tattooed as a declaration of love, I would also write it with an Ö. Why? I have no idea.

In Albania, for example, it is called Byrek.

The ingenious idea apparently originated in the Ottoman Empire, according to my research.

In general, Börek is a savory filled puff pastry, often in the form of rolls. Feta cheese, spinach, and minced meat are usually used as fillings. No fat is spared in the preparation. Always good to have at least one roll of paper towels with you.

'What time is it?' - 'Börek!'