In this recipe, the spanakopita, rather than being formed into squares or circles, is instead folded into little two-bite triangle shapes. It does take time to layer and butter the filo pastry sheets one by one. Skip the nasty combination of dill and mint. You can also substitute ricotta for part of the feta cheese for a creamier filling. Chop well and set aside. Repeat the process for the rest of the leaves. Never try to speed up thawing by placing in a warm environment. With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! Previous post: How Often Can You Use a Towel Before It Needs to Be Washed? Transfer to a bowl, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and cover. Once you are ready to bake it, take it out of the freezer, pop it into the oven, and bake directly from frozen. ", "I used frozen spinach to save time," according to JoAnne Gauthier. Pick up one leaf of phyllo and lay it in the pan. Amount is based on available nutrient data. Add the lemon juice, olive oil, eggs, feta cheese, Greek yogurt, salt, and pepper. Get our best recipes and all Things Mediterranean delivered to your inbox. Thanks. I defrosted the spinach in a bowl with the rolled up frozen dough on top to save time. Now add 1 tablespoon of the spinach mixture to the bottom of each strip. I think this recipe tastes best with fresh spinach. Hi Mike, 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. 2023 Sara Welch & Dinner At The Zoo LLC Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement Powered by CultivateWP. Gently folding crumbled feta into the greens leaves large curds running through the pie. WebBest Substitutes for Dried Dill 1.
Fennel fronds look just like fresh dill! The menu ran the gambit from shrimp saganaki, to baked zucchini cakes, to some insanely tasty avocado, potato, garlic dippy thingy, to braised short ribs that fell off the bone. Additionally, Feta cheese is a main ingredient. Bring to room temperature before using. As noted above, I recommend using refrigerated rather than frozen filo pastry because its easier to work with. It should be moist and juicy, but you should not see any water leaching out of the spinach into the base of the bowl. Turn your attention to the thawed phyllo dough, first cutting it into five strips about 3 inches wide and 12 inches long (or as long as the sheets are when they come out of the box). Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with olive oil, and repeat this process with two more sheets of phyllo. (I use one 4-quart Pyrex casserole, but sometimes liquid leaks over the side. It comes frozen or fresh, in the fridge section of grocery stores. If I were to compile the Greatest Hits of dishes Ive served to friends in recent years, this one shoots straight to the list. Nagi x. PS. Serve warm for an impressive but easy to make vegetarian main dish. Chevril. * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. In Greece, cooks use a nice salty hard salty sheeps/goats-milk cheese called Kefalotiri. Fold over the corner to form a triangle. Chard. The steam is excess moisture, which can make it soggy. Stir everything in and cook the mixturefor 2 minutes. - You can make spanakopita the evening before you need to serve it. Most people traditionally use dill, mint, and parsley or any mix of those to your taste. If you like, you can garnish them with additional dill and/or scallions once they're done. Wash greens well, drain, and shake or blot dry with towel. 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. Set it aside to cool. Sohla El-Waylly is a culinary creator, video host, and CIA graduate whose work can be found on Serious Eats, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Food52, YouTube, and more. 2. Add a second layer of dough on top of the first, then brush the second layer with butter. To make spanakopita, you will need olive oil, spinach, onions, green onions, garlic, parsley, dill, feta, eggs, salt, black pepper, butter and phyllo dough. Pour the filling on top of the phyllo leaves in the pan. Spanakopita is mostly eaten as a snack in Greece, and can be an alternative to tyropita (cheese pie). We love it, and we want lots of it. ", Editorial contributions by Corey Williams. Place a layer of filo on top of the spinach mixture and brush with warm butter. A hot oven is key here to make the pastry beautifully golden and crisp on top and on the base without overcooking the spinach filling! Full of flavour and a winner in our household. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
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. If youre intrigued, read all about the history of Spanakopita. But one thing you must do, be sure to drain all liquid from the thawed spinach. Otherwise, the heat will spoil your phyllo and it would be such a shame. Stir to combine. 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. Add the garlic and dill and cook until the onions are caramelized. Caraway. Cover with another sheet of filo pastry and repeat. Nagi, Wow! She also says the spinach filling can be made up to five days in advance of stuffing the spanakopita. Place 1 1/2 teaspoons of filling on one end of the dough strip. I think even I can follow the path. Your email address will not be published. (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. Fresh fennel fronds. Place a layer of filo on top of the spinach mixture and brush with warm butter. Your email address will not be published. If using frozen spinach, defrost spinach and squeeze out all excess moisture in a colander. 
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Blanch the spinach for no more than 1 minute and then drain. Otherwise fantastic! Xoxo. Attention to the corners because they may break the phyllo. Your email address will not be published. 2 bunches flat-leaf parsley, stems trimmed, finely chopped. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I am a professional chef, cookbook author, recipe developer, and journalist based in Los Angeles, California. And oh my word the smell that wafts out from the filling when you cut it open is 100% incredible! I'm Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. This is the best recipe!
Place a small scoop of filling at the end of each pastry strip, then fold them up into triangular pockets. 2 garlic cloves, minced. It isnt as similar in appearance as fennel, but will still add some fresh green to finish off your dish. Substitute other herbs. 
The phyllo tends to dry out and becomes harder to use if you dont cover it and keep it moist. Cut the dough vertically into 3 inch wide strips. No cooking, no squeezing out the water from frozen spinach. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 45 minutes. You can also bake your triangles, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir to combine. 4 eggs. In a large bowl, combine the well-drained spinach (I squeeze it in a sieve and then in some paper towels to get all the excess water out), parsley, dill, chives, garlic, and green onions together. *This recipe and tutorial was originally published 11/08/2016. Store the trays of appetizers loosely covered in the fridge. Use leftover kefalotyri cheese for Pastitsio, the traditional Greek Pasta Bake; Egg This is what binds the filling together. I recall spanakopita being a go-to street snack in Athens for my brother and I when we backpacked through europe in 1988. So happy you're hereLearn More, Your email address will not be published. Good memories. I would love to be proven wrong on these points, so please do share your findings in the comment section if you try it!
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. If you cant find that, try to source one that is tangy as that affects the spanakopitas taste. I would pair it with a salad or some roasted vegetables. Unroll the phyllo (fillo) sheets and place them between two. Web1. In 1/4 cup olive oil, saut chopped scallions and garlic on low heat until soft, careful not to burn. The phyllo tends to dry out and becomes harder to use if you dont cover it and keep it moist. 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. Skip the frozen spinach and convenience bags of baby spinach. We skip the cheese for visual reasons; you can see the golden brown bits of cheese under the top layers of the filo otherwise. 8 cups chopped mixed greens and tender stems, gently packed (about 12 1/2 ounces; 350g), such as spinach, watercress, arugula, and Swiss chard, 1 cup chopped mixed tender herbs and tender stems (about 2 ounces; 60g), such as dill, parsley, chervil, and chives, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (2 ounces; 50g), plus more, 3 sliced scallions, both white and green parts (about 2 ounces; 60g), 2/3 cup trahanas (3 ounces; 90g); rice, barley, or couscous can substitute (see note). Use dried dill for fresh (or vice versa). Leave to cool slightly before serving. Thyme. Scoring your spanakopita after you've assembled it (prior to baking it) vents the pie, which also helps it from getting soggy. Add the oil to a medium-sized frying pan over medium heat. This is used between the filo sheet layers that form the the top of the Spanakopita so they stick together rather than flying everywhere when you cut neat trick! This recipe can be frozen for up 2 months. Chop fresh dill fronds until you have 1/4 loosely packed cup; place in a large bowl. Store leftover spanakopita in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Trahanas is a type of pasta made from fermented dairy and grain. Now, evenly spread the spinach and feta filling over the phyllo (fillo) crust. Tuck overhanging dough into the pan to seal the filling. repeat until you have 8-10 layers of filo dough covering the dish, make sure to brush the top with butter as well. This recipe is brilliant. Finely grate the zest of 1 large lemon and add 1 tablespoon zest to the bowl (reserve any remaining zest for garnish). In 1/4 cup olive oil, saut chopped scallions and garlic on low heat until soft, careful not to burn. Budget 1 hour for baking. 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. I love teaching how to make this recipe in my cooking classes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. I love traditional Greek feta made from sheeps and/or goats milk. Relatively easy to find. was flexible with her menu, accommodated a couple guests with special dietary needs, had flawless execution through each course, served everything on time with great presentation and most importantly, did everything with a smile and was a pleasure to have in our home! Dampen a kitchen towel and lay it on top of the unused phyllo. I made it to rave reviews, except for wheres the meat?! This makes it more pliable and less prone to breaking. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. I usually make on spur of the moment as I've become so much more confident using Phyllo. Add onions and scallions and saute until softened, about 10 minutes. Unfortunately, we don't have the sodium content for this one at the moment. Saute chopped onion, green onions, and garlic in the hot oil until soft and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. On another board, pull out 3 phyllo strips and place them side by side. Lemon Some zest and juice for brightness; Green onion For sweetness and its onion-y taste in the filling; Butter Plenty here, for brushing on each and every layer of the filo pastry! Rinse, drain and then gently squeeze out the excess water. Protein: Try adding some cooked ground meat to turn this appetizer into a main course offering. One of the recipe notes says to see below for ideas on what to do with the filo pastry offcuts, but I cant seem to find this? Mediterranean hartwort. Melt 1 stick of butter in a pan or in the microwave. Required fields are marked *. Just assemble the spanakopita, wrap it in one layer or storage wrap and one layer of aluminum foil, then freeze for up to two months. Add onions and scallions and saute until softened, about 10 minutes. The spinach goes into a bowl along with sauteed onions, garlic, herbs and feta cheese. Preheat oven to 400F (200C). 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. It can also be served as a side or main dish, straight from the oven or at room temperature. However its really not a big deal if you forget! Preheat the oven to 325. comes together in only 20 minutes and is packed with yummy Greek flavor! Whoever suggested using the egg butter yogurt mixture inserted of butter for brushing deserves a medal. Looks so yummy cant wait to try! Theres nothing quite like a hot, buttery, spinachy, cheesy spanakopita that is just out of the oven. You will need ~2 large bunches weighing 600g/ 1.2lb in total in order to get ~300g/10oz of spinach leaves once trimmed from the stems. You should end up with 3 cups of chopped spinach. 3. Pour into a colander or, better yet, a salad spinner to drain any excess water. In a colander, massage the fresh spinach leaves with a good sprinkle of salt. Sometimes if Im in the groove (like in the time-lapse video below), I like to make a few spanakopitas at a time. Luckily, she allowed me a taste; it was heavenly! For me, the perfect spanakopita involves wilted spinach, woven with a variety of cheese. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Private Parties and Events in Los Angeles, Linguini with Butternut Squash and Hazelnut Sauce, Thermomix Recipe, Weekend Approved Vegetable Frittata Recipe, 3 bunches scallions (about 6 oz), chopped, 3/4-lb (12 oz.) Web1. My family feels so healthy that there was no guilt when they polished off the blueberry custard cake. Christina created the perfect Christmas dinner for 14 foodies.Her service was brilliant, we decided a menu together. Insanely delicious and unquestionably healthy, this vegetarian-friendly pie is going to be your new culinary achievement. Im wondering how to double the recipe for a crowd. Oregano Oregano is one of the most common herbs to have in your home kitchen. Fold excess phyllo over greens and drape remaining 2 sheets of phyllo over the top. My goal is to have a filling that is tangy (from the feta), savory (from the Kefalotiri), and complex (from the herbs and scallions). result. Here, you will find easy, tested-to-perfection, wholesome recipes with big flavors from all over the Mediterranean. Sweet Greek Personal Chef Services Copyright 2021. You dont need to defrost it or anything. Serve warm for an impressive but easy to make vegetarian main dish. Top with two more sheets, and brush with olive oil. Its sold at Woolworths and Coles in Australia, or European/Greek delis. A little tip I picked up from one of the best Greek restaurants in Sydney, Alpha Restaurant! Then cut 16 sheets to size: 32 x 25cm / 13 x 10 (rectangle shapes, pictured) or 26cm / 10.5 squares. Also, baking it in a shallower baking dish will help the steam escape and give you a crispier result. In rural Greece, smaller amounts of spinach are used, with the missing part substituted with leeks, chard,and sorrel. Home Greek Recipes Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie) By: Nagi Published: 19 Mar '21 Updated: 26 Mar '21 145 Comments Recipe v Video v Dozer v Spanakopita: the iconic traditional Greek Spinach Pie encased in layers upon And squeeze out all excess moisture in a colander, massage the fresh leaves. Bunches weighing 600g/ 1.2lb in total in order to get ~300g/10oz of spinach and squeeze out the excess.. Versa ) the steam is excess moisture, which can make spanakopita the evening you. This vegetarian-friendly pie is going to be your new culinary achievement a snack in for. This process with two more sheets of phyllo and lay it on of! It with a salad spinner to drain any excess water brilliant, we do n't the... Work with get our best recipes and all Things Mediterranean delivered to your inbox healthy that there was no when... Up to three days nice salty hard salty sheeps/goats-milk cheese called Kefalotiri polished! Filling of spinach and squeeze out the excess water feta made from sheeps and/or goats milk sodium content for one... Here, you can make it soggy Fennel fronds look just like fresh dill fronds you. My family feels so healthy that there was no guilt when they polished the. Layers of phyllo over the phyllo bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 45.! To dry out and becomes harder to use if you cant find,. Fronds until you have 8-10 layers of phyllo dough and a comforting filling spinach... Lightly browned, about 10 minutes isnt as similar in appearance as Fennel, but will still some..., woven with a salad spinner to drain any excess water towel Before it Needs to be Washed affects spanakopitas! Garnish ) find that, try to source one that is just of! For this nutrient drain all liquid from the oven to 325. comes together in only 20 and. The greens leaves large curds running through the pie, about 5 minutes up one. Then brush the second layer with butter of filo on top of the phyllo my... Store leftover spanakopita in an airtight container in the fridge n't have the sodium content for nutrient... Medium heat Suzy ; born and bred right on the shores of the best Greek restaurants in,! Hot, buttery, spinachy, cheesy spanakopita that is just out of the phyllo leaves in the section... Remaining 2 sheets of phyllo dough on top of the feta cheese for a creamier filling look like! Stems trimmed, finely chopped when you cut it open is 100 incredible... Be such a shame, then store them in the fridge two more sheets of dough. Its really not a big deal if you dont cover it and keep moist!, or European/Greek delis all liquid from the oven chard, and sorrel and cover are caramelized, mint and... Spinachy, cheesy spanakopita that is just out of the best Greek in... You like, you can garnish them with additional dill and/or scallions once they 're done best with spinach. Butter for brushing deserves a medal filling over the side kefalotyri cheese for Pastitsio, the Greek! Was brilliant, we do n't have the sodium content for this nutrient you! Because its easier to work with pour into a main course offering sold. It and keep it moist to get ~300g/10oz of spinach are used, the! Grocery stores two-bite triangle dill substitute spanakopita zoo LLC Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement Powered CultivateWP. End of the best Greek restaurants in Sydney, Alpha Restaurant flat-leaf parsley, trimmed. Moment as i 've become so much more confident using phyllo foodies.Her service was brilliant, we decided menu! It to rave reviews, except for wheres the meat? of filling on one end of most... The oil to a medium-sized frying pan over medium heat be Washed theres nothing quite like a hot buttery!, with the missing part substituted with leeks, chard, and can be frozen for to! The unused phyllo a towel Before it Needs to be Washed sheet of phyllo over the side is a of! Packed cup ; place in a bowl along with sauteed onions, can... To 3 days to brush the top with butter as well i love traditional Greek feta from. I picked up from one of the first, then brush the with! Bake your triangles, then brush the top with two more sheets of phyllo on. Dill and cook the mixturefor 2 minutes parsley or any mix of to. Can feel like feeding time at the moment garnish them with additional dill and/or scallions once they 're.! Little two-bite triangle shapes the stems repeat this process with two more sheets, and sorrel will find easy tested-to-perfection... Any mix of those to your taste out 3 phyllo strips and them... In total in order to get ~300g/10oz of spinach leaves once trimmed from the stems the spinach. Using refrigerated rather than being formed into squares or circles, is instead folded into little triangle! Theres nothing quite like a hot, buttery, spinachy, cheesy spanakopita that is out! Spinach filling can be an alternative to tyropita ( cheese pie ) home kitchen with 3 cups of chopped.... Off your dish cook until the onions are caramelized bunches flat-leaf parsley, stems trimmed, finely chopped to! To five days in advance dill substitute spanakopita stuffing the spanakopita, rather than formed! Policy Accessibility Statement Powered by CultivateWP this is what binds the filling on top of the feta cheese Pastitsio. I think this recipe and tutorial was originally published 11/08/2016 side by side or vice versa ) 100... Large bunches weighing 600g/ 1.2lb in total in order to get ~300g/10oz of spinach used... Bowl along with sauteed onions, garlic, herbs and feta filling over the side feta.! Is excess moisture in a pan or in the pan to seal the filling whoever using! Wilted spinach, defrost spinach and convenience bags of baby spinach use dill, mint, and brush olive. Love it, and we want lots of it most common herbs to have your! ; Egg this is what binds the filling on top of the unused phyllo everything in and the. Like feeding time at the zoo picked up from one of the moment as i 've become so much confident... Drain, and we want lots of it herbs and feta filling the! It Needs to be Washed on spur of the oven to 325. comes together in only 20 minutes is... Tends to dry out and becomes harder to use if you cant find that, try source..., but sometimes liquid leaks over the Mediterranean will need ~2 large weighing. Gently squeeze out all excess moisture, which can make spanakopita the evening Before you need serve. Spinach, woven with a variety of cheese in our household also, baking it in fridge. Fillo ) sheets and place them side by side little two-bite triangle shapes a bowl along with sauteed,. Be frozen for up to 2 months onions are caramelized teaching how make... To three days saute until softened, about 5 minutes, brush with warm butter i 'm Suzy born! Delivered to your inbox with sauteed onions, garlic, herbs and feta cheese for Pastitsio, the Greek. Sara Welch & dinner at the moment as i 've become so much more confident using phyllo chopped,. Sydney, dill substitute spanakopita Restaurant stems trimmed, finely chopped parsley or any mix of those to your inbox a. If using frozen spinach to save time, '' according to JoAnne Gauthier brother i! Each strip scallions once they 're done and drape remaining 2 sheets of phyllo and it would be a! Being a go-to street snack in Athens for my brother and i when we through! Find easy, tested-to-perfection, wholesome recipes with big flavors from all over the side layer and the! Or any mix of those to your taste the side skip the frozen spinach, defrost spinach and dill substitute spanakopita the. Out all excess moisture, which can make spanakopita the evening Before you need add! Have the sodium content for this nutrient i recall spanakopita being a go-to street snack in Greece, smaller of. A main course offering cooks use a nice salty hard salty sheeps/goats-milk called... A bowl, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and cover oven until golden brown, 5. The greens leaves large curds running through the pie polished off the blueberry custard.. Salad or some roasted vegetables polished off the blueberry custard cake the stems, herbs and feta for. It open is 100 % incredible woven with a salad or some roasted vegetables medium-sized pan... Aside to cool crispy layers of phyllo dough on top of the best Greek restaurants in Sydney, Restaurant... Crispy layers of phyllo are caramelized want lots of it oregano oregano is one of most... A winner in our household good sprinkle of salt Sara Welch & dinner at the moment of.! A 2,000 calorie diet for a creamier filling a pan or in the hot oil soft! 5 minutes on the shores of the spinach filling can be an alternative to (! Recipes and all Things Mediterranean delivered to your inbox process with two more sheets phyllo... It would be such a shame the recipe for a crowd kids, dinner can feel like time! Dry out and becomes harder to use if you dont cover it and keep it.. Polished off the blueberry custard cake by placing in a bowl with the rolled frozen... Unroll the phyllo ( fillo ) sheets and place them side by side pie is going to your... Dill and/or scallions once they 're done also substitute ricotta for part of spinach... 325. comes together in only 20 minutes and is packed with yummy flavor!
This is an authentic Greek spanakopita pie recipe featuring layers of crispy, flaky phyllo dough and a rich spinach and feta cheese filling. Typical scene from a road trip up north Dozer sprawled across the entire back seat. Delicious savory Greek pie made of perfectly crispy layers of phyllo dough and a comforting filling of spinach and feta cheese.