Spanakopita, a traditional Greek dish, is a savory pie made with layers of crispy phyllo dough filled with a flavorful mixture of spinach, feta cheese, onions, herbs, and eggs. This delectable dish is a staple of Greek cuisine and has gained popularity worldwide. Its unique combination of flaky pastry and savory filling makes it a perfect appetizer, main course, or side dish.
The recipes provided in this article offer a comprehensive guide to preparing this classic Greek delicacy. From traditional recipes passed down through generations to modern variations with a twist, this article has something for every taste and skill level. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, these recipes will help you create a delicious and authentic spanakopita that will impress your family and friends.
From the basic spanakopita recipe using fresh spinach and feta to variations that incorporate different cheeses, vegetables, and herbs, this article provides a wide range of options to satisfy every palate. There are recipes for those who prefer a vegetarian version, as well as those who enjoy the addition of meat, such as ground beef or lamb.
With step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and stunning visuals, this article makes the process of creating spanakopita accessible and enjoyable. Whether you choose the classic recipe or experiment with one of the variations, you're guaranteed to end up with a mouthwatering dish that will transport you to the heart of Greece.
SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)
This is an authentic, really rich pie stuffed with spinach, onions, cheeses and herbs that are all enfolded by crispy, flaky phyllo dough.
Provided by SILVERWOLF
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 1h30m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 9x9 inch square baking pan.
- Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, green onions and garlic, until soft and lightly browned. Stir in spinach and parsley, and continue to saute until spinach is limp, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, and feta. Stir in spinach mixture. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough in prepared baking pan, and brush lightly with olive oil. Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with olive oil, and repeat process with two more sheets of phyllo. The sheets will overlap the pan. Spread spinach and cheese mixture into pan and fold overhanging dough over filling. Brush with oil, then layer remaining 4 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with oil. Tuck overhanging dough into pan to seal filling.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Cut into squares and serve while hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 494.1 calories, Carbohydrate 31.5 g, Cholesterol 100.3 mg, Fat 34.7 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 18.2 g, SaturatedFat 11.5 g, Sodium 893.9 mg, Sugar 5.4 g
GREEK SPINACH PIES (SPANAKOPITA) RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: olive oil, green onion, fresh spinach, garlic, feta cheese, ricotta cheese, fresh dill, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, phyllo dough
Provided by Pierce Abernathy
Categories Dinner
Yield 8 triangles
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
- In a large pan over medium heat, cook the green onions and garlic in the olive oil until soft.
- Add half the spinach, giving time for some to cook down before adding the rest.
- Once the spinach has cooked down, transfer to a medium mixing bowl to cool slightly.
- Add the feta, ricotta, egg, dill, parsley, salt and pepper, and mix until evenly spread.
- Set in refrigerator.
- Lay out one sheet of phyllo dough on a dry surface. Using a pastry brush, coat evenly with olive oil.
- Add another sheet of phyllo dough on top of the oiled sheet and repeat the oiling process. Continue until there is a stack of 4 oiled sheets. Repeat process on a new stack with remaining 4 sheets.
- Cut your dough into 4 sections using a pizza cutter.
- With a single section, add a spoonful of your spinach mix and begin folding over your pastry, brushing each fold with oil. Repeat this process for the remaining sections.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 190 calories, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 9 grams, Sugar 2 grams
CHICKEN SPINACH FETA PIE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: boneless, skinless chicken breasts, salt, pepper, garlic, greek oregano, olive oil, ricotta cheese, frozen spinach, feta cheese, green onion, eggs, fresh dill, phyllo dough, butter, red onion, kalamata olive, tomato
Provided by Matthew Johnson
Categories Dinner
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Season the chicken breasts with the salt, pepper, garlic, greek oregano, and olive oil.
- Place the chicken breasts in a large skillet on medium-high heat with a tablespoon of oil. Cook until the first side is a dark golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook the other side until equally brown, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low and cook the chicken until it's cooked through about 10 more minutes. Set the chicken aside to cool and then slice it.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- To a bowl, add the ricotta, chopped frozen spinach, feta cheese, chopped green onion, beaten eggs, dill, and pepper, and stir to combine.
- Place the butter into a large shallow dish. Take about 5 sheets of the thin phyllo dough and dip it in the butter.
- Place the buttered phyllo into a 9 inch (23 cm) springform pan. Make sure the dough complete covers the sides and hangs over the edges of the pan. Use as many sheets as needed to create a even layer all around.
- Spread half of the feta spinach mixture on the bottom of the springform pan on top of the phyllo dough. Shingle one layer of the sliced cooked chicken, and spread the other half of the spinach feta mixture. Make sure each layer is tightly pressed.
- Place the chopped tomatoes on the outer rim of the pie. Place a ring of chopped red onion, and then place chopped kalamata olives in the center.
- Fold the phyllo dough from the edges of the pan to the center and cover the top of the pie with 3 more batches of buttered phyllo.
- Cover the pie with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the aluminum foil cover and cook for about 20 more minutes, until the top is golden brown.
- Let rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove the pie from the springform pan, slice, and serve.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 575 calories, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 42 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 35 grams, Sugar 4 grams
Tips:
- Use fresh spinach: Fresh spinach has a more vibrant flavor and texture than frozen spinach.
- Wilt the spinach properly: Wilting the spinach removes excess moisture and prevents the filling from becoming watery.
- Use a good quality feta cheese: Feta cheese is the star of the show in spanakopita, so it's important to use a good quality cheese that has a sharp, tangy flavor.
- Don't overfill the pies: Overfilling the pies will make them difficult to fold and seal, and the filling may spill out during baking.
- Bake the pies until they are golden brown: The pies are done baking when the tops are golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Conclusion:
Spanakopita is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's also a great way to use up leftover spinach. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make spanakopita at home. So next time you're looking for a tasty and satisfying meal, give spanakopita a try!
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