I've used up to 1-lb of feta cheese in my spanakopita. Your email address will not be published. Brush the folded sides well with olive oil. Substitute with lovage or just omit in case both are out of season. The trick for good spanakopita is to make sure the filling is not too soggy. Im wondering how to double the recipe for a crowd. Thyme. Add greens in batches, stirring until they become wilted. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. It was a pie before pie was pie. Golden, crispy phyllo pastry, encasing the soft spinach filling is really what spanakopita is all about! Thank you for your fab recipes! Parsley is another fresh herb that can stand in for dill when used as a garnish. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Feta retains much salt, even after being rinsed! But it can easily stand alone as the main dish. You dont need to defrost it or anything. Pour in the spinach mixture, spreading evenly. You need a good amount of spinach in this recipe, so using frozen spinach is the way to go. Brush a 9-inch glass pie plate (either deep-dish or standard size will work with this recipe) generously with olive oil and set on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. You can assemble your spanakopita up to 8 hours before you plan to bake it. Once you are ready to bake it, take it out of the freezer, pop it into the oven, and bake directly from frozen. Your email address will not be published. I had a glitch with my recipe plugin, which is fixed now. She made us many delicious dishes and we highly recommend her! Cut the lemon in half and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice into the bowl. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. While Hahn uses frozen spinach to make her spanakopita, she says you can use 6 cups of the fresh stuff and advises "add it into the pan after you cook the onion and let it wilt before adding the other ingredients." My goal is to have a filling that is tangy (from the feta), savory (from the Kefalotiri), and complex (from the herbs and scallions). Use as a 1 to 1 substitute. Beans, Lentils and Gas. result. For a twist on the classic, this version of traditional Greek spanakopita uses an assortment of greens and tender herbs in addition to spinach. You can also bake your triangles, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I ended up chatting with the woman behind the lavish lunch, her name was Yiayia Helen. I love reading comments. I would pair it with a salad or some roasted vegetables. 2. Preheat the oven to 375 F, then plop that thawed spinach (you did remember to thaw it, didn't you?) Set your masterpiece on its serving stage and be prepared for the incredible eating experience about to take place! Stir into spinach mixture. The sheets will overlap the pan. It tastes somewhat like parmesan but is different and not as salty or sharp. Recipe by SILVERWOLF. Kefalotiri*, cottage cheese, Farmers cheese, Parmesan cheese, Ricotta cheese) may be mixed with, or substituted for, the feta cheese. . dill You sometimes see Spanakopita baked in a pie dish. Other ingredients include feta cheese, butter, oil (Hahn favors avocado, but says olive is fine), a red onion, garlic, parsley, dill, scallions, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. We do not cook the spinach the filling flavour is better made with raw rather than cooked spinach. Finely grate the zest of 1 large lemon and add 1 tablespoon zest to the bowl (reserve any remaining zest for garnish). I served it with the Italian mega salad. Spanakopitas versatility and portability makes it the perfect street food as well. Skip the nasty combination of dill and mint. Add the remaining spinach to the pan. Just make sure to get the larger phyllo sheets (which are the most common) and not the 9 x 13 size (Athens/Apollo brand normally makes those). ", "This is awesome," raves Sylvia C. "We ate the whole thing in 15 minutes. Start checking for color after 30 minutes. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Scoring your spanakopita after you've assembled it (prior to baking it) vents the pie, which also helps it from getting soggy. By far the best spanakopita Ive ever had let alone made myself. Preheat the oven to 325. Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with olive oil, and repeat this process with two more sheets of phyllo. She arrived on time, prepared with everything she needed. Anise Seeds. One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice best chicken and rice ever! Freshly grated nutmeg is the ususal spice in spinach pie and tastes much better. Preheat oven to 400F (200C). You can also freeze spanakopita after baking: Simply let the dish cool and transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Im developing some recipes for Kotopita and Kreatopita that Ill post soon! diabetic Mediterranean hartwort. 3. If you cant find that, try to source one that is tangy as that affects the spanakopitas taste. Now add 1 tablespoon of the spinach mixture to the bottom of each strip. Besides the dill, you could also enjoy these quesadillas with some mint, oregano, or marjoram. Voila! Make sure to butter/oil your top piece of phyllo. Fold the egg mixture into the spinach mixture then spread evenly into your prepared dish. Skip the nasty combination of dill and mint. Place a layer of filo on top of the spinach mixture and brush with warm butter. Working with 1 sheet at a time, lay phyllo so that it is centered in the pie pan with the excess draping over the rim and brush generously with about 1 tablespoon olive oil. Next post: Crustless Spanakopita: A Delicious Spinach Feta Casserole. Alternatively, blanch the spinach for 1 minute, drain and squeeze out excess water. Follow these instructions for my streamlined but doubly delicious method. Then I freeze them to easily bake off at a later time. substitute dill basil Start making your top crust by adding a leaf of phyllo, brushing it with butter or olive oil it and adding another on top. I have many dietary. She recently published a cookbook and had multiple suggestions at the ready for a four course meal and dessert, including vegetarian options. Thyme. The oven should definitely be hot enough now, so put the spanakopita in and bake them for 20 to 25 minutes or until they look golden brown on top. spinach 4. Spanakopita is a popular Greek savory pie made of perfectly flaky phyllo dough with a comforting filling of spinach and feta cheese nestled in. Its a little harder to source that in the U.S. so you can sub in parmesan, romano or pecorino or a mix of those. Trust me, this is so much easier to make than you think! Sure, wed scramble and salvage every little pastry shard we could find off the tray / table / plate. I used a 9-oz. Attention to the corners because they may break the phyllo. The pic below is of grilled octopus with nectarines and arugula. Fresh (or dried) dill; Lemon juice; Black pepper; Salt; Cornstarch binder and substitute for eggs; For the Filling: Phyllo Dough I used the Athens brand. We could buy a square from just about any window that sold food along the street. Allow to cool at least 15 minutes before serving. Stir until all is well-combined. For the best flavour, the best filling texture, and to ensure the pie base stays crispy, you cannot beat fresh spinach. For both fresh and frozen spinach, drain spinach in a strainer (preferably over the sink) to get out most of liquid. This is an obvious choice for any cook who doesnt have dill I've used up to 1-lb of feta cheese in my spanakopita. Learn how your comment data is processed. We love it, and we want lots of it. This is an authentic Greek spanakopita pie recipe featuring layers of crispy, flaky phyllo dough and a rich spinach and feta cheese filling. Obviously, it is a pie. See recipe video below for visual demo; Pinch corners firmly to tuck in the surplus filo pastry; Trim the filo pastry all around using scissors so it is around 2cm / 4/5 high. Silence. Christina is a wonderful chef! *This recipe and tutorial was originally published 11/08/2016. To Assemble the Pie: Unroll thawed phyllo and keep it covered with a moist kitchen towel while working. Spring onions (scallions). If you have a salad spinner, thats even better. I love making it for my Los Angeles personal chef clients. Other ingredients include feta cheese, butter, oil (Hahn favors avocado, but says olive is fine), a red onion, garlic, parsley, dill, cup dill, chopped, plus more for garnish, 3 scallions, chopped, plus more for garnish. Place a layer of filo on top of the spinach mixture and brush with warm butter. 16 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained. Substitute with lovage or just omit in case both are out of season. Using a dough hook attachment, mix to combine the ingredients for 10-15 seconds. Tons of greens like sweet, earthy spinach leaves, herbs, tangy feta cheese encased in layers of homemade, crispy phyllo. Mediterranean hartwort. substitute dill chervil Parsley is another fresh herb that can stand in for dill when used as a garnish. I use a 9 x 12 inch pan for this recipe. Youd bake the same just add 3-5 more minutes! bag of pre-washed spinach, chopped, and it turned out great. Thyme can work as a dill substitute in marinades for meat and fish. The best way to freeze spanakopita? I know some people are a bit intimidated by the thought of working with filo pastry. Web1. Its imperative that you squeeze as much excess liquid as possible out of the cooked spinach so that your filling isnt watery. Stir for 2 minutes to combine, then remove from heat and set aside. And be sure follow the tips below for best results. The information shown is Edamams estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. I'm Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. The Best Spanakopita Has More Than Just Spinach, Borek (Armenian Spinach and Cheese Turnovers), Warm Farro Salad With Asparagus, Peas, and Feta Recipe, Kanafeh (Middle Eastern Cheese and Phyllo Dessert) Recipe, Creamy Garlic Chicken Spanakopita Skillet Recipe, Warm Couscous Salad With Salmon and Mustard-Dill Dressing Recipe, Chicken Souvlaki With Tzatziki Sauce and Greek Salad Recipe, Creamy Vegan Saag Paneer (With Tofu) Recipe, Maftool (Palestinian Wheat Pearls in a Vegetable, Chickpea, and Chicken Stew), Spinach Pie Quesadilla Recipe | Cook the Book, Flaky, Tender, and Nutty Whole Wheat Pie Crust Recipe, Flaky and Crisp Gluten-Free Pie Crust Recipe, Skillet Pearled Couscous with Tomatoes, Feta, and Spinach Recipe, Eat Your Greens! We were picking at the leftover shards of filo pastry long after the last piece had disappeared. Im a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes. Christina exceeded all of our expectations! The phyllo tends to dry out and becomes harder to use if you dont cover it and keep it moist. You can store any leftover Spanakopita Quesadilla in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Heres what you need to make this traditional Greek Spinach Pie. In Greece, its prevalent supply leads it to be the logical choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Your email address will not be published. While the cheesy filling is central to spanakopita, and all the butter used to coat the dough adds flavor as well, Hahn does say that if you can find plant-based feta and butter substitutes that you like, you could easily veganize this dish. Spinach, feta, dill, and lemon are the stars of this quick and easy recipe, with eggs stirred into the sauce like a carbonara. You need to brush each of the phyllo layers with a little olive oil (see the video as well). 2 bunches flat-leaf parsley, stems trimmed, finely chopped. Parsley. Massage together to gently wilt the greens, then set aside. Hi There Are there instructions for layering of the Spinach Pie, or did I miss them. Any thinner, and theres too much pastry! Bake the spanakopita until golden brown, then serve and enjoy. You can opt-out at any time. Stir in the green onions, garlic, parsley and dill and cook for 30 seconds. Add onions and scallions and saute until softened, about 10 minutes. More importantly, the food was healthy and delicious. It vaguely resembles Gruyere in taste,except it is harder and saltier. Caraway. Using a kitchen cloth or a cheese cloth helps. Thanks so much for your comment/question. Bringing it to room temperature makes it more pliable and therefore easier to handle; Keep the phyllo pastry coveredwith a slightly damp tea towel to ensure it doesnt dry out; and. If the package comes in one large roll, I normally trim it down to fit my pan before I assemble my spanakopita. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel. Luckily, she allowed me a taste; it was heavenly! Add the garlic and dill and cook until the onions are caramelized. This was our first experience hiring a private chef and we were so. Brush with oil. Any thicker, and theres too much filling. Anise Seeds. Coarsely chop the spinach. For both fresh and frozen spinach, drain spinach in a strainer (preferably over the sink) to get out most of liquid. Then repeat 3 basic steps: sprinkle some semolina (if the dough is too sticky), use the rolling pin to roll out gently by moving your hands from the center to the sides, and turn the dough (to make sure it wont stick to the table). For the Filling: In a large bowl, combine chopped greens, chopped herbs, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and black pepper. You should end up with 3 cups of chopped spinach. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Is there any way to put meat in this? Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Hungry for more? Your email address will not be published. Variouswhite, fresh, preferably salted cheeses (ex. On another board, pull out 3 phyllo strips and place them side by side. comes together in only 20 minutes and is packed with yummy Greek flavor! Linguine alle Vongole (Linguine with Clams), Churros con Chocolate (Spanish Churros with Chocolate), Easy Authentic Falafel Recipe: Step-by-Step. Therefore, you will rarely encounter a Greek holiday or celebration without this masterpiece. If you are using fresh spinach, wilt it in a large pan and then drain it in a colander. ", Editorial contributions by Corey Williams. Stir everything in and cook the mixturefor 2 minutes. She is very sweet and also very professional! As it drains, fry the onions in the oil for 5 minutes. And oh my word the smell that wafts out from the filling when you cut it open is 100% incredible! Looks so yummy cant wait to try! Good memories. Spanakopita is a savory Greek pie that consists of a spinach-ricotta filling baked in a buttery phyllo crust. Brush with olive oil. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill 8 ounces feta cheese crumbled 1 egg lightly beaten salt and pepper to taste 1 pound phyllo dough sheets thawed 3/4 cup butter melted Instructions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper. The butter not only adds flavour, it also causes each base layer to separate so you get the signature flakiness; Repeat After brushing with butter, top with another sheet of filo pastry and continue repeating until you have used 8 sheets in total; Filling Spread the filling in the middle of the pastry base, leaving a 2.5cm/1 border. You should end up with 3 cups of chopped spinach. Bundle it up and twist firmly to squeeze out the water. If I were to compile the Greatest Hits of dishes Ive served to friends in recent years, this one shoots straight to the list. To bind everything together, I used four large eggs. Rinse, drain and then gently squeeze out the excess water. 2. 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