Spanakopita Food Network

SPANOKOPITA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a saute pan and add the scallions. Cook for 5 minutes or until soft. Meanwhile, squeeze most of the water out of the spinach and place it in a bowl. Add the scallions, dill, eggs, feta, salt, and pepper and mix together.
• Keep the phyllo dough sheets covered with a damp kitchen towel. Unfold 1 sheet of the phyllo dough. Brush the sheet with melted butter and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Repeat the process by laying a second sheet of phyllo dough over the first sheet, brush it with melted butter and sprinkle with breadcrumbs until all 10 sheets have been used. Spoon 3/4 cup of the spinach mixture into a sausage shape along one edge of the phyllo dough. Roll it up. Brush the top with butter and score the roll into 1-inch rounds. Place it on an oiled baking sheet. Repeat until all the pastry and filling have been used.
• Place in the oven and bake for 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Serve warm.

SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• Position rack in center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the spinach in a wire-mesh strainer or colander, place over a sink and drain well. Use your hands or a paper towel to squeeze the excess water out of the spinach.
• Place the spinach in a medium mixing bowl. Add the salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, and basil. Stir in the beaten egg, olive oil, and lemon juice. Add the feta cheese and mix well to combine. Set aside.
• Gently unfold the phyllo dough.* Lay 1 sheet of phyllo on a large cutting board and gently brush with the melted butter. Place a second phyllo sheet on top of the first and brush with butter. Repeat 2 more times until you have a stack of 4 phyllo sheets with butter brushed between the layers.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the phyllo sheets lengthwise into 3 strips. Place 2 tablespoons of the spinach filling 1 inch from the bottom end of each strip.
• Take the bottom right corner of the strip between your thumb and finger and fold over the spinach filling to the left to make a triangle. Gently pull up the bottom left corner and fold up to make a second triangle. Continue folding until you reach the top. Place the triangle, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the completed triangle lightly with butter.
• Repeat with the remaining strips and phyllo sheets until all of the filling is used.
• Arrange the triangles 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden and heated all the way through. Remove the spanakopita from the oven and cool slightly on the baking sheet.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

DINNER SPANAKOPITAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan, add the onion, and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Add the scallions, and cook for another 2 minutes until the scallions are wilted but still green. Meanwhile, gently squeeze most of the water out of the spinach and place it in a large bowl.
• When the onion and scallions are done, add them to the spinach. Mix in the eggs, Parmesan cheese, 3 tablespoons bread crumbs, the nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Gently fold in the feta and pine nuts.
• Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough flat on a work surface with the long end in front of you. Brush the dough lightly with butter and sprinkle it with a teaspoon of bread crumbs. Working quickly, slide another sheet of phyllo dough on top of the first, brush it with butter, and sprinkle lightly with bread crumbs. (Use just enough bread crumbs so the layers of phyllo don't stick together.) Pile 4 layers total on top of each other this way, brushing each with butter and sprinkling with bread crumbs. Cut the sheets of phyllo in half lengthwise. Place 1/3 cup spinach filling on the shorter end and roll the phyllo up diagonally as if folding a flag. Then fold the triangle of phyllo over straight and then diagonally again. Continue folding first diagonally and then straight until you reach the end of the sheet. The filling should be totally enclosed. Continue assembling phyllo layers and folding the filling until all of the filling is used. Place on a sheet pan, seam sides down. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with flaked salt, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the phyllo is browned and crisp. Serve hot.

GREEK SPINACH PIES (SPANAKOPITA) RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
• In a large pan over medium heat, cook the green onions and garlic in the olive oil until soft.
• Add half the spinach, giving time for some to cook down before adding the rest.
• Once the spinach has cooked down, transfer to a medium mixing bowl to cool slightly.
• Add the feta, ricotta, egg, dill, parsley, salt and pepper, and mix until evenly spread.
• Set in refrigerator.
• Lay out one sheet of phyllo dough on a dry surface. Using a pastry brush, coat evenly with olive oil.
• Add another sheet of phyllo dough on top of the oiled sheet and repeat the oiling process. Continue until there is a stack of 4 oiled sheets. Repeat process on a new stack with remaining 4 sheets.
• Cut your dough into 4 sections using a pizza cutter.
• With a single section, add a spoonful of your spinach mix and begin folding over your pastry, brushing each fold with oil. Repeat this process for the remaining sections.
• Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
• Enjoy!

SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place spinach in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender, about 2 to 6 minutes. Drain and press to remove all water. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion until tender, but do not brown. Stir in cooked spinach and continue cooking until all moisture has evaporated. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
• In a large bowl combine feta cheese, Swiss cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley and cinnamon. Stir in spinach and onion mixture.
• Brush the bottom of a 17x11 inch jelly roll pan with butter. Place 1 sheet of dough in the bottom of the pan; brush with butter. Continue to layer 13 more sheets of dough, brushing every other sheet with butter. Spread spinach and cheese mixture over dough. Continue layering with remaining dough, brushing every other sheet with butter. Tuck edges of dough under. Brush top sheet with butter and, using a sharp knife, score top layer into diamonds.
• Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)

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.

SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion, scallions and garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 minutes.
• In batches, stir in spinach until wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Strain spinach mixture through a sieve, pressing out excess liquid to prevent a soggy crust. Transfer to a large bowl and cool for 5 minutes. Add eggs, feta, Parmesan and parsley and stir until combined.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch pan (2 inches deep) with butter. Lay one half sheet of phyllo dough in baking dish. Using a pastry brush, brush dough with butter. Repeat 7 more times to form crust. Spread spinach mixture evenly over crust. Brush one half sheet of phyllo dough with butter and lay on top of filling, butter side up. Repeat with remaining 7 sheets of dough. Using a serrated knife, lightly score top layer of dough into squares (this will make it easier to cut once baked). Bake until crust is lightly golden and filling is heated through, 50 to 60 minutes. Serve warm.

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)

Steps:

• Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan and sauté the onions and leek until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the spinach and saute until the leaves have wilted and the liquid has cooked off, about 8-10 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool somewhat. When cool enough to handle, finely chop the spinach and place in a large bowl.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Lightly oil (always use olive oil!) a 12 inch in diameter, metal baking pan (you can use a larger baking pan - you will just have a thinner pita, but don't use a smaller one), or a 10 x 15 inch rectangular baking pan.
• Add dill and feta cheese to the spinach. Add salt and pepper to taste (careful with the salt - the feta will add quite a bit of its own). Pour the eggs over and give a stir to combine well.
• Open up the phyllo pastry and place on a work surface. If using the country style pastry proceed, if using the thinner phyllo; cover with a damp cloth. (Continue to cover the pastry sheets with the damp cloth each time you remove one as you prepare the pie.).
• Layer the phyllo in the pan, allowing the edges to hang over the sides of the pan, brushing each phyllo layer generously with olive oil.
• Use up half the phyllo sheets to make the bottom pastry layer, allowing excess pastry to drape over edge of pan.
• Put the spinach mixture in and press the top down gently to smooth filling. Tuck in the pastry draping over the edges.
• Repeat layering with the remaining phyllo, oiling each sheet generously.
• Using a sharp knife, score the upper layers of pastry into the size pieces you will want to serve once the pie is baked- BE CAREFUL NOT TO CUT THROUGH BOTTOM PASTRY.
• Bake the pie in the middle of the oven for approximately 40-45 minutes until it is golden brown. For the last 15-20 minutes, I put my baking pan directly on the oven floor to crisp it better.
• Cool till just warm (we never, but never eat this hot! The flavours just wouldn't come through properly). Cut into serving pieces and serve either just warm or at room temperature.
• Note: If my spinach filling appears to be too 'wet', I often take 2 of the phyllo sheets and use them as a 'layer' between the spinach filling; these sheets absorb the extra liquid (they must not be brushed with oil).
• It's also worth noting that Greeks love their olive oil! I have used olive oil with a lighter hand than most Greeks in this recipe - but it may still be too much for you. Feel free to add the amount you feel most comfortable with, but be aware that flavour may be compromised.

SOFIA'S SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Saute the garlic, leeks and shallots until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and scallions and cover the pot for a few minutes until spinach has wilted significantly. Uncover and simmer on medium-low heat to allow the liquids to evaporate (be sure not to let spinach mixture to burn). When the majority of the liquids have evaporated, transfer to a large bowl. Mix the feta, ricotta, kefalotiri, dill, mint, pepper, nutmeg and eggs in a large bowl. Gently fold the cheese mixture into the cooled spinach mixture.
• Brush a 15-by-10-inch rectangular pan with olive oil. Gently place one sheet of number-10 phyllo in the bottom of the pan and brush with olive oil, making sure to coat well. Repeat this step eight times. This creates a nice strong base for serving.
• Pour in the spinach filling. Use the entire box of number-7 phyllo on top of the spinach, making sure to coat each layer of dough very well with olive oil. Also make sure to tuck in edges of the phyllo around the pan to make it look pretty. Score the pie in appropriate portion sizes. Brush the top with the beaten eggs; this gives it the beautiful golden brown color that is achieved after approximately 1 hour of baking.

SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• Place oven rack in center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Preheat a small pan over medium to medium high heat. Add oil and onion and saute 5 minutes. Place onion in a bowl. Add chopped dry, defrosted spinach and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add feta to the bowl and combine it with spinach. Add beaten egg and sour cream to the bowl and combine with cheese, spinach and onion.
• On a large work surface, place 1 sheet of phyllo. Paint half of the sheet with a little melted butter, paying extra attention to your perimeter. Fold sheet in half. Pile 1/4 of your spinach mixture into a log shape working 2 inches from bottom and each side. Tuck bottom up and fold both sides in, then roll and wrap upwards until you reach the edge of the dough sheet. Each pastry will resemble an egg roll. Paint the seam and the ends of the roll with butter and set roll seam side down on a cookie sheet. Repeat and make 4 rolls. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly golden all over and serve.

SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet and place over medium heat. Saute onions and garlic for 3 minutes until soft. Add the spinach, season with salt and pepper, and continue to saute until the spinach is limp, about 2 minutes. Add lemon juice, remove from heat and place in a colander, and squeeze out excess liquid. Set aside to cool. The filling needs to be cool and dry to prevent the phyllo from becoming soggy. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with feta, coriander, and nutmeg. Season, then fold in the cooled spinach mixture until well blended.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, brush 2 baking sheets with some melted butter. Unroll the phyllo dough and lay a sheet flat on a work surface. Take care to keep the phyllo covered with a damp, not wet, towel as you work to prevent drying out and becoming brittle. Brush the sheet with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with some oregano and chives. Repeat with 2 more sheets of phyllo, stacking on top of each other. With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the sheets lengthwise into thirds to form 2 1/2-inch strips. Do this with all the sheets of dough.
• Place a heaping teaspoon of filling near 1 corner of the layered phyllo strip. Fold the end at an angle over the filling to form a triangle. Continue to fold the triangle along the strip until you reach the end, like folding up a flag. Brush the top with butter and dust with Parmesan, place on prepared baking sheet, and cover while preparing the remaining pastries. Repeat until all the filling and phyllo strips are used up. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until the triangles are crisp and golden. Serve hot, warm or cold.

SKILLET SPANAKOPITA RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Melt the butter and olive oil together in an 8-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and scallions and season with ¼ teaspoon salt and the nutmeg. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened. Stir in the spinach, season with the remaining teaspoon of salt, and cook for 4-5 minutes, until most of the moisture has evaporated. Stir in the dill, parsley, mint, and sugar and cook for 1-2 minutes more, until the herbs are fragrant. Remove the pan from heat and let the filling cool, about 10 minutes.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl, then fold in the shredded and crumbled feta. Add the cooled spinach mixture to the eggs and feta and fold to combine.
• Wipe out the skillet and lightly grease with olive oil. Lay a sheet of phyllo dough across the pan, gently tucking flush against the bottom (it will hang over the edges) and lightly brush or spray with olive oil. Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top of the first sheet in another direction and lightly brush or spray with olive oil. Repeat with 4 more sheets of phyllo, alternating where the overhanging phyllo falls each time. Add the spinach filling to the skillet, smoothing the top, and fold the overhanging phyllo over the filling.
• Tear the remaining 4 sheets of phyllo in half crosswise. Crumble each piece of phyllo on top of the filling, covering the entire surface. Lightly brush or spray the entire top of the pie with olive oil.
• Bake the spanakopita for 38-43 minutes, or until the filling is set and the phyllo is golden brown in most places.
• Let cool for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
• Enjoy!

RACHAEL RAY'S SPANAKOPITA BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• To one side, add a little extra-virgin olive oil and a tablespoon of butter.
• When butter melts, add the chopped garlic and chopped red onion and cook 5 minutes. Transfer the onions and garlic to a bowl to cool.
• Return pan to heat.
• Squeeze all the water out of the thawed spinach.
• Separate the spinach as you add it to the bowl with cool onions, garlic and season with 1 teaspoon of oregano.
• Add in feta crumbles then chicken or turkey, grill seasoning and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
• Mix and form into 4 patties, 1-inch thick.
• Raise heat on pan to medium-high.
• Add patties and cook 6 minutes on each side.

SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Combine milk, cornstarch and oregano in small bowl. Pour into saucepan and stir until mixture thickens and boils. Squeeze any excess moisture from spinach. Add spinach and feta to mixture in saucepan. Mix in egg. Bring to simmer, stirring constantly. Cool mixture slightly.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch square baking dish with olive oil spray. Spray half of 1 sheet of phyllo. (Keep remainder covered with plastic and damp towel.) Fold phyllo in half crosswise. Place in prepared pan. Fold edges over so edges of phyllo are even with edges of pan. Spray phyllo sheet in pan. Repeat process with another phyllo sheet. Spread filling evenly over phyllo. Spray half of 1 sheet of phyllo. Place atop filling. Fold edges over so edges of phyllo are even with edges of pan. Spray phyllo sheet in pan. Repeat process with 2 more phyllo sheets. Spray half of remaining sheet of phyllo. Fold phyllo in half crosswise. Place atop phyllo in pan. Fold edges under so edges of phyllo are even with edges of pan. Spray top lightly with spray. Bake until phyllo is golden brown and filling is heated through, about 30 minutes. Blot top of phyllo with paper towels. Cut into squares and serve.

SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small pan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and saute the scallions until tender.
• Chop the spinach and place in a large saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until wilted, about 15 minutes. Drain, pressing out as much liquid as possible. Mix together the spinach, scallions, cottage cheese, feta, dill, parsley, farina and eggs in a large bowl. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper and mix to combine.
• Melt the remaining 2 sticks butter. Butter a 2-quart decorated ring mold (reserving the rest of the butter for brushing the phyllo).
• Unfold the phyllo and place under plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. Remove one sheet of pastry at a time, brush with the melted butter and begin lining the mold (1 1/2 inches of pastry should hang over the outer edge of the mold). Continue fitting phyllo sheets into the mold, turning it as you go in order to make even layers (the sheets will overlap in the center hole of the mold). Use about 20 sheets of phyllo.
• Fill the mold with the spinach mixture. Draw the overhanging outer edges of phyllo over the filling. Butter and arrange the remaining sheets of phyllo, one at a time, to completely cover the filling; cut out and discard the pastry over the center of the hole of the mold.
• Place the mold on a baking sheet to catch the butter drippings. Bake until golden brown and puffed, about 1 1/4 hours. Let stand in the mold 5 to 15 minutes before unmolding onto a warm platter. Serve.

SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°.
• Drain spinach of all liquid.
• Sauteé onions and garlic in 1/4 cup butter until tender, then add spinach, salt and pepper to taste.
• Sauteé 1-2 more minutes.
• in a large bowl, combine spinach mixture, eggs, dill, lemon juice and crumbled feta.
• Butter a 7" springform pan.
• Place phyllo between a damp (but not wet) tea towel so it doesn't dry out.
• Layer 6 sheets of phyllo in the pan, brushing each with melted butter.
• Fill with spinach mixture and fold edges over.
• Layer 6 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each with melted butter.
• Use a scissors to round the edges and cut 6 or 8 triangles in the top.
• Bake 45 minutes or until golden -- allow to stand 10 minutes before removing the springform.
• This can also be made into individual packets instead of a pie shape.

SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• Heat a large fry pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the spinach with only the rinsing water clinging to the leaves, cover and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
• Drain well on paper towels, then squeeze out as much of the remaining liquid as possible.
• Place in a large bowl and add the feta cheese, kefalotiri cheese, eggs, mint, and nutmeg.
• Stir well to combine.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat an oven to 375°F.
• Lightly butter a baking sheet.
• Cut the stack of phyllo sheets lengthwise into 3 equal strips.
• Remove 1 strip and cover the remaining phyllo with a slightly dampened kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out.
• Place the strip on a work surface and brush lightly with melted butter.
• Place another strip on top.
• Brush the second strip lightly with melted butter.
• Place a heaping teaspoonful of the filling about 1 inch in from the bottom of the strip.
• Fold the uncovered end over the filling on the diagonal to form a triangular shape.
• Bring the bottom of the triangle up against the straight edge.
• Continue folding in this manner until the tip of the strip is reached, forming a triangular pastry.
• Brush lightly with melted butter.
• Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Repeat with the remaining phyllo and filling.
• Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and transfer to a platter.
• Serve immediately, warm or at room temperature.