Best 4 Spanaki Pilafi Recipes

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Spanakopita, a beloved Greek dish known for its flaky phyllo pastry encasing a savory filling of spinach, feta cheese, onions, and herbs, is a culinary delight that has captivated taste buds for centuries. This article presents a collection of three distinct Spanakopita recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish.

The first recipe introduces a traditional Spanakopita, adhering to the timeless flavors that have made this dish an enduring favorite. With step-by-step instructions and a focus on authentic ingredients, this recipe ensures a crispy, golden phyllo pastry and a flavorful filling bursting with the essence of spinach, feta, and herbs.

The second recipe takes a creative spin on the classic Spanakopita, transforming it into a Spanakopita Pie. This variation features a homemade pie crust that encases the traditional Spanakopita filling, resulting in a hearty and comforting dish. Detailed instructions guide you through the process of preparing the pie crust and assembling the pie, ensuring a perfect golden crust and a delectable filling.

The third recipe presents a Spanakopita Casserole, a delightful interpretation that combines the flavors of Spanakopita with the convenience of a casserole. This recipe utilizes a combination of phyllo dough and bread crumbs to create a crispy topping, while the filling remains true to the traditional Spanakopita flavors. Easy-to-follow instructions guide you through the layering of ingredients and baking process, resulting in a casserole that is both visually appealing and incredibly flavorful.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this article provides a comprehensive guide to creating delicious Spanakopita dishes that will tantalize your taste buds and impress your loved ones. With detailed instructions, helpful tips, and a passion for Greek cuisine, these recipes will empower you to recreate the magic of Spanakopita in your own kitchen.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

LEMONY GREEK RICE PILAF (PILAFI) RECIPE WITH CHICKEN LEGS



Lemony Greek Rice Pilaf (Pilafi) Recipe with Chicken legs image

The perfect traditional Greek rice pilaf (pilafi) recipe! Fluffy, fragrant rice and crispy, tender, fall of the bone chicken legs with a delicious lemon kick!

Provided by Eli K. Giannopoulos

Categories     Main

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 chicken legs, bone-in and skin on
1 1/2 cup rice (long grain rice or basmati)
2 tbsps butter
1 small red onion, roughly chopped
3 cups chicken stock
juice of 1 lemon (or more if you prefer)
6-7 peppercorns
salt and freshly ground pepper
2-3 tbsps olive oil
150g/5 oz. feta cheese for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • To prepare this Greek rice pilaf recipe with chicken legs, start by washing thoroughly the chicken legs and pat them dry with some kitchen paper. Drizzle the chicken legs with olive oil, season well with salt and pepper and rub using your hands.
  • Heat a large pan over medium high heat and place the chicken legs inside. Let them colour and cook for about 6 minutes on each side, until the skin is nicely coloured and crispy. Remove the chicken legs from the pan and set side.
  • Now it's time to prepare the Greek rice pilaf. In the same pan add 1-2 tbsps olive oil and the chopped onions and sauté until soft. Add the butter and rice and sauté the rice until translucent. Pour in the chicken stock and lemon juice and deglaze. Add the chicken legs (skin side up) and season well with salt and pepper.
  • Place the lid on, turn the heat down and simmer the Greek rice pilaf for about 15 minutes, until the chicken and rice are cooked and all the liquid has been absorbed.
  • Finish off the Greek rice pilaf with a last minute squeeze of lemon juice, crumbled feta cheese and freshly ground pepper. Enjoy!

CHICKEN BREAST SPANAKI



Chicken Breast Spanaki image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h1m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup olive oil
2 stalks fresh green onions, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pound frozen spinach, washed, squeezed to remove excess water
1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
2 whole eggs
1 pound feta cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon ground pepper
8 large chicken breasts
Olive oil
Lemon
Oregano

Steps:

  • Pour olive oil in pot over medium heat and add both types of onion. Saute for 1 minute, and then add spinach. Saute for approximately 10 minutes.
  • Preheat the broiler.
  • Pour spinach mixture in a bowl and cool. Add dill, eggs, feta and pepper to spinach mixture and mix very well.
  • Butterfly chicken breasts and fill with spinach/feta mixture. Close the breast and broil for 10 minutes on each side. After 15 minutes, douse chicken breasts with olive oil, lemon and oregano, and serve.

SPANAKI PILAFI



Spanaki Pilafi image

Make and share this Spanaki Pilafi recipe from Food.com.

Provided by luvcookn

Categories     White Rice

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb spinach, washed well and drained
3/4 cup rice, rinsed and drained
water
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon mint
1/2 cup olive oil
1 fresh lemon, halved

Steps:

  • Place spinach in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat, covered, for 10 minutes. Set aside.
  • Place rice in a 2qt saucepan, add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, stir in rice with a fork, then simmer until water is absorbed.
  • Add the partially cooked rice to the spinach, stir carefully with a fork to mix. Add salt, pepper and mint. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, until rice is fully cooked.
  • In a frying pan, heat olive oil to the sizzling point. Do not allow to burn.
  • Pour holt oil over the rice and spinach, stirring carefully to mix.
  • Cover pot. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Serve in a shallow bowl and sqeeze plenty of lemon juice over pilaf.

KOTOPOULO PILAFI



Kotopoulo Pilafi image

PREP AND COOK TIME ARE GUESSES!!! From "Greek Cooking" by Lou Seibert Pappas. Got the book from my B/F's mom, cause this is a major comfort food for him and so I had to snag her copy of the book to get it. Putting here for safe keeping, but still haven't tried it.

Provided by Kayori

Categories     Whole Chicken

Time 2h

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 lbs broiler-fryer chickens, cut in pieces
1/2 cup butter, divided
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 dash allspice
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup long-grain white rice
1/2 pint yogurt
1 tablespoon finely chopped of fresh mint (optional)

Steps:

  • Wash chicken and pat dry. Using large Dutch oven, saute chicken pieces in 3 tablespoons butter, turning to brown on all sides. Add onion and saute until golden.
  • Add salt, pepper, cinnamon, allspice, garlic, and tomato paste, and cook 2-3 minutes longer, stirring frequently.
  • Pour in chicken stock, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken from pan and keep warm.
  • Pour off pan juices and measure, you should have 2 cups. If necessary add water or reduce quickly to make that amount. Return juices to pan and add bring to a boil.
  • Add rice, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, or until rice is tender. Heat remaining butter until bubbly and lightly browned in color and pour over rice, tossing lightly with a fork.
  • Return chicken to the pan to heat through. Serve with a side dish of yogurt, mixed with mint, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1190.2, Fat 77.4, SaturatedFat 30.8, Cholesterol 326, Sodium 1195.4, Carbohydrate 48.5, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 6.9, Protein 71.4

Tips:

  • Use fresh spinach: Fresh spinach is best for this recipe, as it has a more vibrant flavor and texture than frozen spinach.
  • Wash the spinach thoroughly: Before using the spinach, be sure to wash it thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit.
  • Chop the spinach finely: Finely chopped spinach will distribute more evenly throughout the dish.
  • Use a good quality olive oil: A good quality olive oil will add a delicious flavor to the dish.
  • Don't overcook the rice: The rice should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
  • Add the spinach at the end of cooking: Adding the spinach at the end of cooking will help to preserve its鮮豔色澤和營養.
  • Season to taste: Be sure to season the dish to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Serve immediately: Spanaki pilafi is best served immediately, while it is still hot.

Conclusion:

Spanaki pilafi is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course, a side dish, or an appetizer. It is a great way to use up leftover rice, and it can also be made with other greens, such as kale or chard. With its vibrant flavor and healthy ingredients, spanaki pilafi is a dish that everyone will enjoy.

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