In a small saut pan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, scallions, and garlic and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. . 3. But it can easily stand alone as the main dish. Add onions and scallions and saute until softened, about 10 minutes. I will probably need to double this next time. The internet's No. Everything was so delicious, we were literally licking our plates. - Already cooked spanakopita will keep well if properly storied in the fridge for 2 to 3 evenings. Happy baking! Get fresh recipes, cooking tips, deal alerts, and more! The trick for good spanakopita is to make sure the filling is not too soggy. Preparation: Instead of making handheld spanakopita, you can layer the phyllo pastry and spinach mixture into a baking dish, and then serve it in slices as a Greek spinach pie. For the Filling: In a large bowl, combine chopped greens, chopped herbs, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Add the rest of the filling ingredients to the pan, Stir to combine to make sure the spinach is You can substitute frozen spinach if you prefer, just use 2 10-ounce boxes. Fresh (or dried) dill; Lemon juice; Black pepper; Salt; Cornstarch binder and substitute for eggs; For the Filling: Phyllo Dough I used the Athens brand. Serve warm for an impressive but easy to make vegetarian main dish. An equal amount of rice, barley, or couscous can be used in its place. Your email address will not be published. Substitute with mint. For me, this is the best option because it keeps the spinach fresher and its taste intact. Brush a little melted butter over the top and place the triangle on the prepared sheet pan. I used a 9-oz. Use dried dill for fresh (or vice versa). Pick up one leaf of phyllo and lay it in the pan. Fresh fennel fronds (for fresh dill only) The next best substitute for fresh dill? Now that my daughter is vegetarian, I think we will be preparing spanakopita at home soon. Welcome to Dinner at the Zoo! Mediterranean hartwort. The amount of water depends on the flour, room temperature, and humidity. This recipe can be frozen for up 2 months. Spring onions (scallions). -Do not skimp on the oil, but don't overdo it either. You can also bake your triangles, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you're a feta lover feel free to increase the amount in this recipe. Its easiest to work with a handful at a time so you can do this step properly. Brush the folded sides well with olive oil. Seal the filling with the overhanging dough. WebGreek seasoning: Dried dill, mint, oregano, parsley, onion; Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. You should be able to divide the pie evenly into 12 square pieces. Since it is Ash Wednesday, it will be a top dinner during Lent. If you dont have a mixer, mix with your hands and knead for about 10-15 minutes. Thyme can work as a dill substitute in marinades for meat and fish. We hired Christina as a private chef for a special occasion dinner party for 12 and were thrilled with the. "My apologies to the purists out there, but I also added fresh basil, chopped asparagus, mushrooms, and artichoke hearts," says S'more. You can also put it in a kitchen towel or a cheese cloth to help with squeezing. Cut Spanakopita ONLY PART-WAY through into squares, or leave the cutting to later. I dont recall the price after so many decades but Im thinking it was fairly south of 200 drachma. Bring to room temperature before using. Kefalotyri is used along with feta in many recipes for Spanakopita,where the recipe says to substitute romanoor parmesan, if kefalotyri cannot be obtained. What are the baking instructions for frozen ones? It comes frozen or fresh, in the fridge section of grocery stores. Once the 5 minutes are up, squish the spinach against the sides of the colander (Hahn uses a wooden spoon), then add the drained green stuff to the onions in the pan. Pour the filling on top of the phyllo leaves in the pan. Garlic Because rarely will you see a Greek dish without garlic (usually much more than just one clove! Use dried dill for fresh (or vice versa). 4 eggs. But if you follow a few simple steps, theres nothing tricky about it at all! Fennel fronds look just like fresh dill! I made it to rave reviews, except for wheres the meat?! Also, using as shallow of a pan as possible keeps steam and sogginess to a minimum. It isnt as similar in appearance as fennel, but will still add some fresh green to finish off your dish. Now take three of the strips (just a single layer) and brush them with butter, then top them each with another strip and brush those with butter, too. It tastes somewhat like parmesan but is different and not as salty or sharp. Coarsely chop the spinach. Get our best recipes and all Things Mediterranean delivered to your inbox. This is thanks to the little trick of layering the filo pastry with a bit of cheese which makes them stick together (while simultaneously still allowing for good, flaky, puffing action) rather than flying everywhere. If you prefer to keep things traditional, this recipe works with all fresh spinach as well. One of the recipe notes says to see below for ideas on what to do with the filo pastry offcuts, but I cant seem to find this? Your email address will not be published. This spanakopita recipe is sauteed spinach, feta cheese and seasonings, all wrapped up in phyllo dough and baked until golden brown and crisp. Finely grate the zest of 1 large lemon and add 1 tablespoon zest to the bowl (reserve any remaining zest for garnish). Cover the strips with a damp dishtowel as Hahn explains, this will "keep them from drying out.". Parsley. Just chop it roughly and then I mix with two bunches of scallions sauteed in olive oil. While Hahn uses frozen spinach to make her spanakopita, she says you can use 6 cups of the fresh stuff and advises "add it into the pan after you cook the onion and let it wilt before adding the other ingredients." repeat until you have 8-10 layers of filo dough covering the dish, make sure to brush the top with butter as well. Young kefalotiri is aged for at least 2 months and has a milder flavor than aged cheese. Anise Seeds. It's vegan and contains no preservatives; no cholesterol; and no trans fat. This is a quite decent method but you should be careful not to overcook the spinach. The longer kefalotyri is aged, the stronger its flavor becomes. This is the case with fresh and frozen spinach. Sure, wed scramble and salvage every little pastry shard we could find off the tray / table / plate. Enjoy. Oh ya I also add a teaspoon Italian herbs. Add the garlic and dill and cook until the onions are caramelized. Fridge (ie. Gently folding crumbled feta into the greens leaves large curds running through the pie. Dont skip it! repeat until you have 8-10 layers of filo dough covering the dish, make sure to brush the top with butter as well. Use leftover kefalotyri cheese for Pastitsio, the traditional Greek Pasta Bake; Egg This is what binds the filling together. In a large bowl, combine the well-drained spinach (I squeeze it in a sieve and then in some paper towels to get all the excess water out), parsley, dill, chives, garlic, and green onions together. I usually do it in 3 batches; Filling Place spinach with the remaining filling ingredients in a large bowl; and. To Assemble the Pie: Unroll thawed phyllo and keep it covered with a moist kitchen towel while working. Besides the dill, you could also enjoy these quesadillas with some mint, oregano, or marjoram. Serve it with a big salad like Greek salad;Balela; or this Mediterranean chickpea salad, and favorite dips like Greek Tzatziki or Roasted Garlic Hummus. Hi Connie, Spanakopita is traditionally a spinach pie. Firstly, making sure you squeeze all the excess moisture out of your spinach. Let aside and give 5-10 minutes time to drain some more. Brush with oil. Serve immediately. Freshly grated nutmeg is the ususal spice in spinach pie and tastes much better. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. WebBest Substitutes for Dried Dill 1. Home Greek Recipes Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie) By: Nagi Published: 19 Mar '21 Updated: 26 Mar '21 145 Comments Recipe v Video v Dozer v Spanakopita: the iconic traditional Greek Spinach Pie encased in layers upon While the cheesy filling is central to spanakopita, and all the butter used to coat the dough adds flavor as well, Hahn does say that if you can find plant-based feta and butter substitutes that you like, you could easily veganize this dish. It was a pie before pie was pie. Apopular, well-known cheese, Kefalotyri is widely believed to be the ancestor of hard cheeses in Greece with a history that dates back to the Byzantine era. Brush the melted butter over the dough. Parsley is another fresh herb that can stand in for dill when used as a garnish. For the Filling: In a large bowl, combine chopped greens, chopped herbs, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and black pepper. The length should be around 12 inches. Its fixed now. Top with two more sheets, and brush with olive oil. Your email address will not be published. Recipe by SILVERWOLF. She recently published a cookbook and had multiple suggestions at the ready for a four course meal and dessert, including vegetarian options. Required fields are marked *. Substitute with lovage or just omit in case both are out of season. Stir for 2 minutes to combine, then remove from heat and set aside. If you have not tried Spanakopita before, you're in for a treat! Mediterranean hartwort. Youll just need to bake it at a slightly lower temperature (350F) for a little longer. But I digress. For the Spinach and Feta Filling. Stir for 2 minutes to combine, then remove from heat and set aside. This recipe starts with plenty of fresh spinach, which is cooked until wilted. Add onions and scallions and saute until softened, about 10 minutes. Phyllo dough is found in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Brush the very top layer with olive oil, and sprinkle with just a few drops of water. Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with olive oil, and repeat this process with two more sheets of phyllo. Most people traditionally use dill, mint, and parsley or any mix of those to your taste. Brush a 9-inch glass pie plate (either deep-dish or standard size will work with this recipe) generously with olive oil and set on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. You can store any leftover Spanakopita Quesadilla in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. This is the best recipe! Vegetables: Feel free to add other veggies to the filling such as diced mushrooms or sun dried tomatoes. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Hi Lulu, Let it drain while you prepare the rest of the items. Mix well Mix filling well until its combined. It is also one of the most versatile. This recipe is brilliant. You need to brush each of the phyllo layers with a little olive oil (see the video as well). I would highly recommend Christina to anyone looking for a special night, catering, or someone who needs a chef on a regular basis. Be sure to very lightly brush the butter over your pastry. Home Greek Recipes Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie) By: Nagi Published: 19 Mar '21 Updated: 26 Mar '21 145 Comments Recipe v Video v Dozer v Spanakopita: the iconic traditional Greek Spinach Pie encased in layers upon Anise Seeds. Caraway. I've used up to 1-lb of feta cheese in my spanakopita. If you're not familiar with phyllo dough, it is basically layered sheets of tissue-thin pastry dough, typically found in the freezer section next to things like pie crust and puff pastry. If you're a feta lover feel free to increase the amount in this recipe. A savory and hearty appetizer or main course option that always gets rave reviews! Substitute with parsley. "This was half-thawed and, when added to the hot mixture, it was just the right consistency and temp to keep moving and finish this. The flavor comparison is not exact, but it also has a subtle licorice flavor on the finish. Preheat the oven to 325. **Fresh herbs: Dill, fennel, parsley, mint, whatever you have or prefer; Italian parsley and dill are more traditional, but Ive used various combinations,chopped finely,& all have worked. I've used up to 1-lb of feta cheese in my spanakopita. Take the basic ingredients and riff off it to your own taste. Im trying to follow this recipe but it ends right after making the filling what am I doing wrong. Add spinach and parsley, then continue to saute until spinach is limp. Wring out excess water. Fresh fennel fronds (for fresh dill only) The next best substitute for fresh dill? Your email address will not be published. Set it aside to rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 3. Everyone in the family from 10-78 years old loved it. This is a wet ingredient that makes the filling nice and juicy, but not so wet that it makes the pastry base soggy; Greek kefalotyri cheese A traditional Greek hard cheese made from sheep or goats milk. Use dried dill for fresh (or vice versa). Fennel fronds look just like fresh dill! Every course was amazing. Allow to cool slightly before cutting into squares. Handle like tissue paper, ie. If you're a fan of Mediterranean cuisine, chances are you've already encountered the tasty Greek spinach and cheese pie known as spanakopita. She also says the spinach filling can be made up to five days in advance of stuffing the spanakopita. In 1/4 cup olive oil, saut chopped scallions and garlic on low heat until soft, careful not to burn. In addition, scoring helps with cutting. Golden, crispy phyllo pastry, encasing the soft spinach filling is really what spanakopita is all about! WebGreek seasoning: Dried dill, mint, oregano, parsley, onion; Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. I'm Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. If the 1-pound box comes with 2 rolls, then the smaller rectangle should fit your 9" x 13" pan perfectly; I would only use 1 roll for the spanakopita in this case (20 sheets to a roll, 10 sheets on the bottom/10 on top). Substitute with mint. Add greens in batches, stirring until they become wilted. The crimping you see in these steps is optional. https://www.recipetineats.com/spinach-and-ricotta-rolls/. I would love to be proven wrong on these points, so please do share your findings in the comment section if you try it! Parsley is another fresh herb that can stand in for dill when used as a garnish. Right? I make spanakopita all the time the way my Greek grandma taught my mom to make it. To assemble the spanakopita: Line the baking dish with two sheets of phyllo (fillo) letting them cover the sides of the dish. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Your email address will not be published. This is an authentic Greek spanakopita pie recipe featuring layers of crispy, flaky phyllo dough and a rich spinach and feta cheese filling. For the Spinach and Feta Filling. It was a wonderful discovery at my New Years Eve (Take 2) party I held a couple of weeks ago that Spanakopita can be assembled earlier in the day and baked in the evening, and youd be none the wiser. Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Place the filled dough triangle on a baking sheet and keep this covered as you work with another damp tea towel. Drizzle with more olive oil. Sohla El-Waylly is a culinary creator, video host, and CIA graduate whose work can be found on Serious Eats, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Food52, YouTube, and more. This recipe is fabulous as-is, but you can also change some of the ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes. Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates. 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Mushrooms or sun dried tomatoes sheet of phyllo and lay it in 3 batches ; filling place with... My Greek grandma taught my mom to make sure to very lightly brush the top with two more sheets phyllo!, wilt the spinach is a quite decent method but you can store any spanakopita! Off it to rave reviews as similar in appearance as fennel, but will still some! Available that typically usetofu instead of cheese Suzy ; born and bred right on oil! Many decades but Im thinking it was fairly south of 200 drachma comparison. Party for 12 and were thrilled with the remaining filling ingredients in a large pan over medium.... Too soggy doing wrong lay it in a large pan over medium heat option that always rave! Room temperature, and humidity dinner party for 12 and were thrilled with remaining!