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Spanakopita

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Cuisine Greek

Ingredients
  

Spinach

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup thinly chopped green onions
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 lbs spinach
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill

Other stuff

  • 8 oz crumbled feta
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Phyllo

  • 1 lb phyllo sheets, thawed ( see below )
  • 3/4 cup melted butter ( can use evoo )

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F
  • Cover the bottom of a large pot with olive oil, and sautee the onions & garlic, until lightly browned.
  • Stir in the spinach, parsely, and heat until the spinach is wilted (5 minutes), remove from heat and let cool.
  • Strain or squeeze all the liquid.
  • In another bowl, lightly beat an egg, add the crumbled feta, dill, then stir in the spinach mixture.

Classic build

  • 4 layers of phyllo in a baking dish, brushed with melted butter between each layer, Leave the overhanging part alone until after the next step.
  • Place a layer of the spinach filling.
  • Fold the overhang over, brush with butter.
  • Layer 4 more sheets of phyllo, buttering all the way.

Mini pitas

  • Cut sheet of phyllo into 3" wide strips.
  • Place 1 1/2 tbsp spinach filling in one corner.
  • Fold up like a flag (into triangles, butter the edges you are folding up to help it stick together).
  • Place the assembled pastries onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Baking!

  • Bake until golden brown on top.
  • Let cool to set, and serve warm, room-temp is usually best.

Notes

Notes
  • Phyllo needs to be defrosted in the fridge 12-24 hours before using.
  • Spinach needs to be squished dry because we don't want wet spanakopita 
  • Filling must be cooked completely before assembly.
  • This is best frozen *before* baking.
  • If you're using a metal pan instead of a ceramic-style casserole dish, put it on a silicone mat to ensure the bottom doesn't burn.
  • Try browning 1 lb of ground beef before adding the spinach, and use 3 eggs + 1/2 tsp pepper for a much more hearty dish. This should have 6 layers of phylo on top and bottom.