**Embark on a Culinary Journey to Palestine: Discover the Delights of Spinach Pies**
In the heart of the Middle East lies Palestine, a land renowned for its rich culinary heritage. Among its many treasures are the delectable spinach pies, also known as sambousek. These savory pastries, often shaped into triangles or half-moons, are a symphony of flavors, textures, and aromas. With a crispy, golden-brown crust encasing a velvety spinach filling, these pies are a staple in Palestinian cuisine, enjoyed during special occasions and everyday meals alike.
In this curated collection of recipes, we present a diverse range of spinach pies, each with its unique character. From the traditional sambousek with its earthy spinach filling to the innovative variations featuring feta cheese and sumac, these recipes cater to every palate. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, these step-by-step guides will empower you to recreate these culinary gems in the comfort of your own home.
So, gather your ingredients, let the aromas of Middle Eastern spices fill your kitchen, and prepare to tantalize your taste buds with the exquisite flavors of Palestinian spinach pies.
SPINACH PIE
Provided by Ina Garten
Time 1h35m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a medium saute pan on medium heat, saute the onions with the olive oil until translucent and slightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the salt and pepper and allow to cool slightly. Squeeze out and discard as much of the liquid from the spinach as possible. Put the spinach into a bowl and then gently mix in the onions, eggs, nutmeg, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, feta, and pignoli. Butter an ovenproof, nonstick, 8-inch saute pan and line it with 6 stacked sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with melted butter and letting the edges hang over the pan. Pour the spinach mixture into the middle of the phyllo and neatly fold the edges up and over the top to seal in the filling. Brush the top well with melted butter. Bake for 1 hour, until the top is golden brown and the filling is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Serve at room temperature.
PALESTINIAN SPINACH PIES
From Food & Wine. "The spinach filling in these fatayer, inspired by a recipe from Palestinian-born baker Maha Ziadeh, isn't flavored with feta, as it is in the more common Greek spinach pies. Instead, it's spiked with lemon and sumac, a tangy Middle Eastern spice. Ziadeh forms the pies into a triangle, but the half-moon shape here is simpler to do." The entire article is so inspiring- one woman helping immigrant women via baking bread. The yeast amount is correct.
Provided by WiGal
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 2h30m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour with the whole wheat flour, yeast, water, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 3 tablespoons of the olive oil.
- Mix at medium speed until a soft, supple dough forms, about 10 minutes. Using oiled hands, transfer the dough to an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough stand in a draft-free spot until slightly risen, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Add the diced onion and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 7 minutes.
- Add the sumac and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in the spinach and let cool completely.
- Preheat the oven to 450° and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 10 pieces.
- Form each piece of dough into a ball, dust with flour and let stand for 10 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball of dough to a 5-inch round. Spread the spinach filling over half of each round, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
- Brush the rims with water and fold the dough over to enclose the filling; pinch the edges to seal.
- Transfer the spinach pies to the prepared baking sheets and brush the tops with the beaten egg.
- Bake the pies for about 18 minutes, or until golden; shift the pans from top to bottom and front to back HALFWAY through baking.
- Transfer the spinach pies to a platter and serve warm or at room temperature.
- MAKE AHEAD: The cooled spinach pies can be tightly wrapped in foil and refrigerated overnight. Reheat the pies in the foil in a 325° oven.
- NOTES: Sumac is a fruity, tangy spice made from dried, ground berries. It is available at Middle Eastern markets and online from penzeys.com.
SPINACH PIES (MIDDLE EAST, PALESTINE)
This is the spinach mixture used to make spinach pies that use the basic dough recipe I have posted. These are absolutely delicious, especially with soup. Excellent dish for Ramadan, either suhr or uftur! **The preparation time doesn't include the time it takes to make the dough.
Provided by Palis Favorites
Categories < 30 Mins
Time 30m
Yield 10-12 pies, 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Wash spinach, chop, and sprinkle with salt. Let stand for 15 minutes, then squeeze out the excess water.
- Mix with all the ingredients and set aside.
- Using the basic dough recipe that I have posted, take the 2 1/2" balls of dough and roll out to 4" circles (more like squares with rounded edges).
- Put a heaping tablespoon of spinach filling on each circle.
- Fold up from the bottom to the middle, and bring in sides to center to form triangle. (If you put one corner in front of you, then you would fold down the top corner, and bring in the sides, and you should have a triangle).
- Press down seams firmly and pinch ends together.
- Grease pan and place pies on the pan (seams down) and brush the tops with olive oil.
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven until pies are golden brown. (I have a older gas stove, and had to turn my oven to about 325°F in order for the top and bottom to cook evenly, so adjust the temperature according to your oven).
Tips:
- Use fresh spinach: Fresh spinach has a more vibrant flavor and texture than frozen spinach.
- Squeeze the spinach well: Before adding the spinach to the filling, be sure to squeeze out as much water as possible. This will help to prevent the pies from becoming soggy.
- Use a good quality feta cheese: Feta cheese is a key ingredient in these pies, so it's important to use a good quality cheese that has a sharp, tangy flavor.
- Don't overfill the pies: Be careful not to overfill the pies, as this can make them difficult to close and may cause them to burst during baking.
- Bake the pies until golden brown: The pies should be baked until they are golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Conclusion:
These Palestinian spinach pies are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main course. They are perfect for a party or potluck, and they can be made ahead of time and reheated when you're ready to serve. With their flaky crust and flavorful filling, these pies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.
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