Spinach Pie or Spanakopita
I have no claim to being Greek. But, I do lay claim to making a mean Spanakopita! This is a traditional Greek dish which has become a regular on our table. I don't know if mine is a true Greek version. It is close enough for me.
Spinach Pie
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach
2 large eggs
2 cups cottage cheese
1 cup crumbled feta chese
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon dried dillweed (or 1/2 cup fresh)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Butter cooking spray
1 box frozen Phyllo dough, thawed
Saute onions until tender and golden. Thaw and drain the spinach well. Combine first eight ingredients. Set aside. Unfold phyllo and cover with a slightly damp towel to prevent pastry from drying out. Place 1 sheet of phyllo in a 9 x 13" baking dish. Spray with butter cooking spray. Repeat 8 times. Place the spinach mixture over the phyllo. Place 1 sheet of phyllo over spinach. Spray with butter cooking spray. Repeat 8 times. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven 30-45 minutes or until top is golden brown.
The more traditional way is to brush melted butter over each sheet of phyllo. I find that using cooking spray is so much easier, and not nearly as oily.
Working with phyllo dough can be tricky. I have gotten fast, and the phyllo dough now comes in a more user friendly size which makes layering so much easier. If you feel that you may take a little time, I recommend covering the phyllo with a large sheet of plastic wrap (a clean trash can liner works well) then placing the damp towel over the bag. This is really an easy meal to prepare, but tastes like you worked all day on it!
Labels: casserole Spinach Phyllo
By: Sharon Pickering | 3/11/2007 at 5:58 PM | If you want, you can leave a comment by clicking here.
There
Anie- This picture looks awesome and mouthwatering.
@priya, it was good. One of our all time favorite dinners. Great company dish too!
Annie, anyway I could make it with ordinary pie dough? We don't get phyllo pastry here.
@hllgrandmom, Yes, that would work. Of course, it would be an entirely different dish, but delicious none the less. It would be more quiche like. Can you get any kind of frozen puff pastry or the refrigerated canned crescent rolls? I think the crescent rolls would make a closer substitute.
wow annie, that looks great. one of my favourites ("too favourite" because i can polish it off fast -- all on my own!).
This is a great recipe, Annie.
It was an instant hit at a recent pot luck dinner, and is quickly becoming a family favorite.
Thanks.