 |
"Whether you make a tray or triangles;
these are delicious, filling and healthy!" |
INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs. fresh spinach (or 2 16 oz. package of frozen spinach)
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 tbs. olive oil
3 eggs plus 4 yolks, slightly beaten
1 lb. feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsps. chopped parsley
1 lb. filo (defrosted)
1 to 1 & 1/2 sticks of butter, melted
PREPARATION:
Preheat
oven to 325 degrees F
1.
If
using fresh spinach, steam it until wilted.
Loosely chop. If using frozen
spinach, defrost completely and drain well.
2.
In
a large skillet, sauté the onion in olive oil.
3.
Add
spinach to the skillet and cook until dry.
Stir occasionally. (NOTE: It is
important that the spinach is sautéed until almost all of the water is removed;
otherwise the filo dough will get soggy when you are preparing the spanakopita.
4.
Remove
skillet from heat allow mixture to cool.
5.
In
a large bowl gently mix together eggs, cheese, salt, nutmeg, parsley.
6.
Add
the cooled spinach mixture into the bowl and toss to mix ingredients.
7.
To
make a tray:
a.
Melt
butter in a glass dish. Use a pastry
brush to spread over dough.
b.
Lay
two sheets of filo in the bottom of an 11” x 14” baking dish; brush lightly
with butter (you don’t need to cover
every inch.)
c.
Repeat
with 7 or 8 more sheets.
d.
Spread
spinach mixture evenly over the dough.
e.
Lay
two sheets of filo over the top of the mixture; brush with butter.
f.
Repeat
with the remaining sheets; be sure to butter the top layer.
g.
Slice
the tray into squares BEFORE cooking.
(If you wait until after cooking the dough will crumble.
8.
To
make triangles (as shown in photo):
a.
Melt
butter in a glass dish. Use a pastry
brush to spread over dough.
b.
Lay
out two sheets of filo, brush the top sheet lightly with butter (you don’t need
to cover every inch).
c.
Repeat
with two additional sheets; brushing each with butter.
d.
With
a sharp knife, slice the sheets lengthwise into three equal sections.
e.
Spoon
a large dollop of filling onto the left corner of each sheet. This would be the end closest to you. Be sure to keep it away from the edge of the
sheet.
f.
Take
the lower left corner and fold up towards the right in order to form a
triangle.
g.
Take
the lower right corner and fold straight up.
h.
Take
the lower right corner and fold towards the left in order to form a triangle.
i.
Take
the lower left corner and fold straight up.
j.
Repeat
until the spanakopita triangle is finished.
k.
Place
on a baking pan and brush with butter.
9.
Bake
for 30-40 minutes; until the dough is a golden brown.
10.
Serve
and enjoy!
