**Spanakopita: A Culinary Journey through Greece's Rich Heritage**
Spanakopita, a timeless Greek delicacy, is a savory pastry that embodies the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. This traditional dish, whose name derives from the Greek words "spanaki" (spinach) and "pita" (pie), has captivated taste buds for centuries. With its origins in ancient Greece, spanakopita has evolved into a symbol of Greek hospitality, often served at gatherings, celebrations, and as a delightful everyday meal. This versatile dish features layers of flaky phyllo dough, a delectable filling of spinach, feta cheese, and aromatic herbs, all baked to golden perfection. Join us on a culinary adventure as we explore the intricate flavors and textures of spanakopita, offering a collection of recipes that celebrate this beloved Greek treasure. From classic spanakopita to innovative variations, let your taste buds embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of Greek culinary heritage.
LAMB AND SPINACH SPANAKOPITA
You don't have to use lamb, you can use ground beef, turkey, or chicken. If you love shrimp, you can even use that!
Provided by Rustie Daye
Categories Casseroles
Time 1h55m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- 1. In a large skillet, add two tablespoons of butter and one tablespoon of olive oil and saute (on a low flame) garlic and chopped green onion until tender.
- 2. Add spinach and chopped parsley, a little at a time until all four packages are sauteed and well mixed with the onion and garlic. Make sure there isn't any extra moisture or it will ruin the dough.
- 3. In another skillet, brown the lamb. Add pepper, Italian seasoning and salt (to taste).
- 4. Melt a stick of butter and pour into a cup. Ready your phyllo dough. Place a damp paper towel over it so it doesn't dry out.
- 5. In a 9x13" pan, lay a layer of dough and brush with melted butter. Repeat this five more times. Spread out half of the spinach mixture on top. Repeat the phyllo dough (3 layers with a brush of melted butter); then spread out the ground lamb.
- 6. For the final layer, cover the lamb with three more layers of phyllo dough, brushing the melted butter on each layer. Spread out the remaining spinach mixture and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover with another five layers of phyllo dough (don't forget to brush the butter on) and bake on 350 degrees (Pre-heated oven) for approx one hour fifteen minutes; or until the top is golden and crispy.
LAMB & SPINACH SPANAKOPITA
Make this stunning spanakopita - 'spinach pie'. Traditionally made with filo pastry, feta and spinach, here we've added lamb, slow-cooked in stock
Provided by Esther Clark
Categories Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Supper
Time 3h35m
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat half the oil in a casserole pot over a medium-high heat and fry the lamb for 5-7 mins, or until deep brown all over. Cover with the stock, then add the cinnamon stick and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 11/2 hrs, or until the lamb is tender and falling apart.
- Heat the remaining oil and the butter in a frying pan, then fry the onions with a large pinch of salt for 15-20 mins, or until golden and sticky. Add the garlic and spices, and cook for 3 mins more. Remove the lamb from its stewing liquid (reserving the liquid), transfer to a chopping board and shred using two forks. Stir the shredded meat into the onion mixture, along with 50ml of the reserved liquid.
- Put the spinach in a pan with 1 tbsp water, and cook for 3-4 mins, or until wilted. Wrap in a clean tea towel and squeeze out the excess liquid, or put in a fine sieve and press it out using the back of a wooden spoon. Roughly chop the spinach, then stir into the lamb and onion mixture along with the feta, mint, pine nuts and egg. Season.
- Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6, and brush a 22cm round springform cake tin with some of the melted butter. Layer four sheets of filo pastry across the tin, then brush with more melted butter. Spoon in the filling, and fold the overhanging pastry over the top. Scrunch up the remaining pastry sheets, put on top of the pie, and brush with the remaining melted butter. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Bake for 45-50 mins, or until golden and crisp. Will keep in the fridge for up to up to two days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 784 calories, Fat 55 grams fat, SaturatedFat 25 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 29 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 3 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 41 grams protein, Sodium 1.7 milligram of sodium
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
CRISPY GREEK-STYLE PIE
A crispy pie that you can adapt for your needs, add chicken or keep it veggie. A good fail-safe for your repertoire
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Snack, Supper
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Put the spinach into a large pan. Pour over a couple tbsp water, then cook until just wilted. Tip into a sieve, leave to cool a little, then squeeze out any excess water and roughly chop. Roughly chop the tomatoes and put into a bowl along with the spinach, feta and eggs. Mix well.
- Carefully unroll the filo pastry. Cover with some damp sheets of kitchen paper to stop it drying out. Take a sheet of pastry and brush liberally with some of the sundried tomato oil. Drape oil-side down in a 22cm loosebottomed cake tin so that some of the pastry hangs over the side. Brush oil on another piece of pastry and place in the tin, just a little further round. Keep placing the pastry pieces in the tin until you have roughly three layers, then spoon over the filling. Pull the sides into the middle, scrunch up and make sure the filling is covered. Brush with a little more oil.
- Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Cook the pie for 30 mins until the pastry is crisp and golden brown. Remove from the cake tin, slice into wedges and serve with salad.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 250 calories, Fat 13 grams fat, SaturatedFat 5 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 23 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 5 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 13 grams protein, Sodium 0.3 milligram of sodium
Tips:
- Use fresh spinach for the best flavor and texture.
- Wilt the spinach properly to remove excess moisture.
- Use a good quality feta cheese that is not too salty.
- Crumble the feta cheese finely so that it distributes evenly throughout the filling.
- Use a light hand when mixing the filling ingredients to avoid overworking the dough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.
- Roll the dough out thinly, but not too thin, or it will tear.
- Brush the dough with melted butter before adding the filling.
- Bake the spanakopita in a preheated oven until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
- Let the spanakopita cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Conclusion:
Spanakopita is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover spinach and feta cheese, and it is also a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. With a little planning and effort, you can make a delicious spanakopita that your family and friends will love.
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