Basic Dough For Spinach Meat And Cheese Pies Middle East Pa Food

SPINACH PASTA DOUGH

Steps:

• Place spinach and water in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cover and simmer, stirring once, until spinach is wilted, about 10 minutes. Drain and let cool, about 10 minutes. Squeeze out as much water as possible, getting the spinach very dry. Chop spinach very finely.
• Place flour on a marble or wooden work surface. Make a well in the center and crack in the eggs; add the salt and finely chopped spinach. Gently beat eggs with a fork, incorporating the surrounding flour and spinach, until batter is runny. Bring remaining flour into the batter using a bench scraper until dough forms a ball. Mix in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if dough feels too stiff.
• Knead dough with your hands by flattening the ball, stretching it and folding the top towards the center. Turn 45 degrees and repeat until dough is soft and smooth, about 10 minutes.
• Shape dough into a ball. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Roll out the dough with pasta machine or with a rolling pin and turn into your favorite pasta shape.

SPINACH PASTA DOUGH

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, salt and blanched spinach. Process to mix well. With the machine running, add the eggs, egg yolks, and olive oil through the feed tube, and process until it resembles wet cornmeal, about 2 minutes.
• Take a handful of dough at a time and form into a firm ball. Repeat with the remaining dough. Roll out each dough ball into desired shape in a pasta machine according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Bring a pot of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta until just al dente, about 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and serve with desired sauce.

BASIC DOUGH (FOR SPINACH, MEAT, AND CHEESE PIES) MIDDLE EAST, PA

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water (or milk). Sprinkle with sugar, cover, and let rise.
• In a large pan mix flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and butter/shortening.
• Gradually add the lukewarm water, mixing and kneading until dough is smooth and tender.
• Cover with a blanket and put in a warm place for two hours or until dough rises.
• Cut dough into pieces 2" to 2 1/2" in diameter. Form into balls by tucking the dough underneath the balls to make them round and smooth. Let rest for 30 minutes between blankets. (This is where I spread the olive oil under the dough, and coated the ball with olive oil as well. I also left it uncovered. ).
• This dough is now ready to be used with various fillings. :).

SPINACH PIES (MIDDLE EAST, PALESTINE)

Steps:

• Wash spinach, chop, and sprinkle with salt. Let stand for 15 minutes, then squeeze out the excess water.
• Mix with all the ingredients and set aside.
• Using the basic dough recipe that I have posted, take the 2 1/2" balls of dough and roll out to 4" circles (more like squares with rounded edges).
• Put a heaping tablespoon of spinach filling on each circle.
• Fold up from the bottom to the middle, and bring in sides to center to form triangle. (If you put one corner in front of you, then you would fold down the top corner, and bring in the sides, and you should have a triangle).
• Press down seams firmly and pinch ends together.
• Grease pan and place pies on the pan (seams down) and brush the tops with olive oil.
• Bake in a preheated 400°F oven until pies are golden brown. (I have a older gas stove, and had to turn my oven to about 325°F in order for the top and bottom to cook evenly, so adjust the temperature according to your oven).

MEAT PIES (MIDDLE EAST, PALESTINE)

Steps:

• Saute onions in butter until tender.
• Add meat and spices. Saute until tender.
• Add browned pine nuts and lemon/vinegar. When cool, its ready to be used for stuffing.
• Using the basic dough recipe I have posted
• Recipe #323574.
• roll out the 2 1/2" ball of dough out to 4" circles (more like squares with rounded edges).
• Put a heaping tablespoon of filling on each circle.
• Fold the bottom to the middle and bring in sides to center to form triangle (I you put one corner directly in front of you, then you would fold down the top corner, and bring in the sides, and you should have a triangle).
• Press down seams firmly and pinch ends together.
• Grease pan and place pies on pan (seams down), and brush tops with olive oil.
• Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven until pies are golden brown.
• Enjoy!