Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)

Flaky, creamy, filled with spinachy goodness - spanakopita is awesomely delicious for lunch or dinner (or even a snack). In addition to being delicious, it's very easy to make (and you can even make it vegan)!

You'll Need. . .

Software:

• Approximately 8 ounces fillo dough (look for it in your grocery store's freezer)
• 1/2 cup butter, melted (substitute vegan butter-type spread to make vegan)
• 8 ounces frozen spinach, thawed, with excess water squeezed out
• 4 ounces ricotta cheese (substitute silken tofu to make vegan)
• 5 ounces feta cheese (to make vegan substitute with extra firm tofu, cubed or crumbled with excess water squeezed out)
• One clove garlic ground to a paste
• Pepper to taste

Hardware:

• A sheet pan
• Pastry brush

How To

1. Preheat oven to 290 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Combine spinach, feta, and ricotta and mix well
3. Mix in garlic and pepper
4. Cut sheets of fillo into three long strips
5. Lay out one strip and brush with butter
6. Apply a second strip, and brush with butter
7. Repeat until you have a stack of 4 strips of fillo, and brush the top with butter
8. Place approximately two tablespoons of spinach and cheese mixture at one end of the strip
9. Fold the strip over on an angle until it meets the long side
10. Fold again, and continue folding to create a triangle of fillo with spinach in the center
11. Place seam side down on baking sheet
12. Repeat with remaining fillo dough and spinach
13. Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until the tops are browned and flaky
14. Allow to cool slightly and enjoy!

Comments

[Twinmum]

I love these things. I've been making them since I was pregnant with my first (they were my craving food - well one of my craving foods lol)
Try adding a little bit of chopped spring onion and a dash of nutmeg mmmm
I used to always have a pile made up and frozen (freeze before cooking)

[AgustinaZ]

hi! im 3 months pregnant, living in Greece and this is also my MAIN craving! i eat -almost- everyday....so nice that here you can find them in every-single-bakery....

I also was in Sklavanitis (supermarket) the other day doing my regular shopping, hunger striked so i ate one triangular, tiny, extremely tasty of the bakery stand they have inside.

Such a pleasure, my god

[shesparticular]

That sounds awesome - thanks so much for the comment!

[tholopotami]

Congratulations ! Take it from an Athenian ! I suggest two variations: (a) make a roll from a large fillo and then shape it in a flat helix from a center outwards . This can be fried in oil . This is how they usually make them in some islands (b) Use regular dough and make it as a tart, not too thick. This is very ttraditional for Greece's mainland.

[gustavo.leal]

I love Spanakopitas!
I first had it when I was to South Africa. It was Delicious! Such a pity I can't find filo dough in brazilian's grocery stores.

[josepher]

That does look delicious.

[shesparticular]

Thanks!

[epicnoobpwn]

Greece FTW!

[shesparticular]

Yay!

[sunshiine]

The texture looks so flakey! If it were not so hot I would make this now! Thanks for sharing your hard work!

[shesparticular]

Thanks so much - they really turned out perfectly! I hope you'll give them a shot if your weather cools off a little bit.

[sunshiine]

Yes, I will. I have been trying to talk hubby into buying another air conditioner. We had to cut down 3 of our huge trees 2 years ago and it has made this house too hot in the summer to cook. So we eat a lot of salad!

[mikeasaurus]

If I were stranded on a Greek Island, this would be my sustenance (Greek Island and strandedness optional).

[shesparticular]

Me too - it's so delicious!