Cooking with Greece

by Glenn Rigby
I love spinach and you can too, with this traditional Greek recipe. I like spinach salad, spinach souffle, creamed spinach – you name it.
But I am also a big fan of spinach pie, or the Greek "spanakopita."
Spanakopita is a Greek spinach pie, made with spinach, phyllo dough, butter, olive oil, feta cheese, green onions, egg, and seasoning. The filling can also be rolled up in phyllo pastry to make individual triangles. We should achieve a nice golden color when cooked.
This tasty treat always makes me daydream of vacationing on the Mediterranean or Aegean Sea. Or the Ionian. The good news is that you can enjoy this deluxe pie in Athens if you decide to go, or simply prepare it yourself with an easy recipe such as this one.
Original recipe yield: 1 – 9×9 inch pan.
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Servings: 5
Ingredients:
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 bunch green onions, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 2 pounds spinach, rinsed and chopped
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 2 eggs, lightly beaten
* 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
* 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
* 1/4 cup olive oil
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 9×9 inch square baking pan.
1. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute green onions, garlic and large onion 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.
2. 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.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Cut into squares and serve while hot.
Enjoy!
Source for recipe:
* Planet Claire