**Introducing Spanakopita: A Delightful Journey Through Greek Cuisine**
Spanakopita, a crown jewel of Greek cuisine, is a delectable pastry that enchants the senses with its flaky phyllo layers, vibrant spinach filling, and aromatic herbs. This savory pie embodies the essence of Greek culinary traditions, seamlessly blending simple, wholesome ingredients into a symphony of flavors. As you embark on this culinary adventure, discover the secrets behind creating the perfect spanakopita, from selecting the finest ingredients to mastering the art of folding the phyllo dough. Delight in the versatility of this dish, as it can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or delectable snack. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with traditional and innovative spanakopita recipes, each offering a unique twist on this beloved Greek masterpiece.
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
SPANAKOPITA: GREEK SPINACH PIE WITH FETA CHEESE
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Wash and drain the chopped spinach very well. If using frozen spinach, thaw completely and squeeze out excess water. The spinach should be dry before you begin cooking.
- Heat 1/2 cup of the olive oil in a deep sauté pan or large Dutch oven. Sauté the onions and green onions until tender.
- Add the spinach, parsley, and dill , and cook for 5 to 10 minutes until the spinach is wilted and heated through.
- Add the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. The spinach mixture should be on the dry side; if using frozen spinach, you will want to cook it until any excess moisture evaporates. Remove from the heat and set the spinach mixture aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the feta, eggs, and ricotta cheese.
- Add the cooled spinach mixture and mix until combined.
- Gather the ingredients.
- Combine the melted butter with the olive oil in a bowl. Using a pastry brush, lightly grease 2 (9 x 12-inch) rectangular pans.
- Carefully remove the phyllo roll from the plastic sleeve. Most packages come in 12 x 18-inch sheets when opened fully.
- Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, cut the sheets in half to make 2 stacks of 9 x 12-inch sheets. To prevent drying, cover 1 stack with wax paper and a damp paper towel while working with the other.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Layer about 10 sheets of phyllo on the bottom of each pan, making sure to brush each sheet with the butter-olive oil mixture before layering the next.
- Add half of the spinach mixture to each pan in an even layer and press with a spatula to flatten.
- Layer another 10 phyllo sheets on top of the spinach mixture in each pan, making sure to brush each sheet well with the butter-olive oil mixture.
- Before baking, score the top layer of the phyllo (making sure not to puncture the filling) to enable easier cutting of pieces later. (You can place the pan in the freezer to harden the top layers and then use a serrated knife to make the cutting easier.)
- Bake until the pie turns a deep golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Let cool for a few minutes and then slice, serve, and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 295 kcal, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 36 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 9 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 365 mg, Sugar 3 g, Fat 20 g, ServingSize 12 to 16 Servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
GREEK SPINACH PIE (SPANAKOPITA)
This is an authentic, really rich pie stuffed with spinach, onions, cheeses and herbs that are all enfolded by crispy, flaky phyllo dough. Makes 1 - 9x9 inch pan (5 servings).
Provided by Phil Franco
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 1h30m
Yield 5 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°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 475.4, Fat 33.1, SaturatedFat 10.3, Cholesterol 123.8, Sodium 682.6, Carbohydrate 30.3, Fiber 5.8, Sugar 4.2, Protein 17.9
YUMMY GREEK SPINACH PIE (SPANAKOPITA)
This is my take on my mother's and grandmother's Spanakopita. Since they never measured anything (and I have also adopted this wacky cooking style) these are my best approximation on measurements. Enjoy!
Provided by diamonds4heather
Categories Vegetable
Time 55m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Saute onion, green onions and garlic, salt and pepper to taste, until soft in 3 or 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Stir in spinach and parsley,until spinach is limp.
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- in a bowl mix together eggs, ricotta, and feta.
- Stir in spinach mixture.
- Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough in a 9x9 in baking dish and brush lightly with melted butter.
- Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with butter, and repeat with four more sheets of phyllo.
- Spread spinach and cheese mixture into pan and place another 6 sheets of phyllo in the same process as before.
- Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Serve while hot.
Tips:
- Use fresh spinach: Fresh spinach has a more vibrant flavor and is less likely to be bitter than frozen spinach.
- Squeeze out the excess moisture from the spinach: This will help to prevent the spanakopita from becoming soggy.
- Use a variety of cheeses: A combination of feta, ricotta, and Parmesan cheeses gives the spanakopita a rich and complex flavor.
- Don't overfill the phyllo dough: If you overfill the phyllo dough, it will be difficult to fold and seal the spanakopita.
- Bake the spanakopita until it is golden brown: This will ensure that the phyllo dough is crispy and the filling is cooked through.
Conclusion:
Spanakopita is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover spinach. With its combination of fresh spinach, creamy cheeses, and crispy phyllo dough, spanakopita is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.
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