Savory Spinach and Feta Phyllo Pie
Savory Spinach and Feta Phyllo Pie is a delightful Greek classic that showcases the vibrant flavors of fresh spinach, tangy feta cheese, and fragrant herbs. This dish can be made with either fresh or frozen spinach. While fresh spinach offers a superior taste and texture, using frozen spinach provides a quick and convenient alternative. Layered with crispy phyllo pastry, this pie is perfect as a hearty appetizer or a satisfying meal. Serve it warm or at room temperature, accompanied by a side salad for a delicious and balanced dining experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Spinach leaves
1.5-2 lbs (Washed, trimmed, and coarsely chopped (if fresh))
Flat leaf parsley
0.5 cup (Chopped)
Dill
0.5 cup (Chopped)
Scallions
2 cups (Chopped)
Coarsely ground sea salt or kosher salt
1.5 teaspoons (For seasoning)
Light olive oil
2 tablespoons (For sautéing)
Yellow onions
3 cups (Chopped)
Black pepper
0.5 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Feta cheese
0.5 lb (Crumble)
Phyllo pastry sheets
14 sheets (Thawed if frozen)
Butter or cooking spray
0.5 cup (Melted or for spraying)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
If using fresh spinach, rinse it thoroughly in batches, discard any large stems, and coarsely chop the leaves. Place the chopped spinach in a colander, adding the chopped parsley, dill, scallions, and salt. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes to drain excess moisture.
3
For frozen spinach, thaw it completely and squeeze out as much moisture as possible, retaining just a little to keep it from drying out during baking. Combine it with the parsley, dill, scallions, and salt.
4
In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become transparent.
5
Reduce the heat to medium, add the spinach mixture in batches, and sauté until the spinach and herbs are wilted and the excess moisture has evaporated.
6
Turn off the heat and gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese and black pepper until well combined.
7
Prepare a 10"x17"x2" baking pan by buttering it generously (or spray it with cooking spray). Layer 8 sheets of phyllo pastry at the bottom of the pan, making sure to brush or spray each layer with melted butter or oil.
8
Evenly distribute the spinach and feta mixture over the phyllo base.
9
Top the filling with the remaining phyllo sheets, again brushing or spraying each layer with butter or oil to ensure a crispy crust.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Spinach and Feta Phyllo Pie?
It is a classic Greek dish featuring a filling of spinach, tangy feta cheese, and fresh herbs layered within crispy phyllo pastry.
What is the traditional Greek name for this spinach pie?
This dish is commonly known as spanakopita.
Can I use fresh spinach for this recipe?
Yes, fresh spinach is recommended for superior taste and texture.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen spinach provides a quick and convenient alternative; just ensure it is thawed and squeezed dry.
How should I prepare fresh spinach for the pie?
Rinse it thoroughly, discard large stems, coarsely chop the leaves, and let them drain with herbs and salt for 15 minutes.
How do I prepare frozen spinach for this recipe?
Thaw it completely and squeeze out as much moisture as possible, leaving just enough to prevent drying during baking.
Which herbs are included in the filling?
The recipe uses flat leaf parsley, dill, and scallions.
How long should the fresh spinach mixture drain?
The spinach, herbs, and salt mixture should sit in a colander for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
What is the required oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How should the onions be cooked?
Sauté the chopped yellow onions in light olive oil over medium-high heat until they become transparent.
When do I add the spinach to the skillet?
Add the spinach mixture in batches after the onions are sautéed, and cook until wilted and moisture has evaporated.
When is the feta cheese added to the mixture?
Fold in the crumbled feta cheese and black pepper after turning off the heat from the sautéed spinach mixture.
What size baking pan is recommended?
A 10"x17"x2" baking pan is recommended for this recipe.
How do I prepare the baking pan?
Butter the pan generously or spray it with cooking spray before adding the phyllo sheets.
How many phyllo sheets go on the bottom of the pie?
Layer 8 sheets of phyllo pastry at the bottom, brushing or spraying each layer with melted butter or oil.
How many phyllo sheets are used in total?
The recipe calls for 14 sheets of phyllo pastry.
How do I ensure the phyllo crust is crispy?
Brush or spray each individual layer of phyllo with melted butter or oil to ensure a crispy texture.
What is the recommended baking time?
Bake the pie for approximately 30 minutes.
How should the pie look when it is finished baking?
The top should be golden brown and crispy.
At what temperature should the Savory Spinach and Feta Phyllo Pie be served?
It can be served warm or at room temperature.
Is this spinach pie recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains no meat.
What side dish pairs well with this pie?
It is recommended to serve the pie with a side salad for a balanced dining experience.
What kind of onions are recommended?
The recipe specifies using 3 cups of chopped yellow onions.
How much spinach is required for this recipe?
You will need 1.5 to 2 lbs of spinach leaves.
How much feta cheese is used?
The recipe requires 0.5 lb of crumbled feta cheese.
What type of oil is used for sautéing the vegetables?
Light olive oil is used for sautéing.
What type of salt is best for this recipe?
Coarsely ground sea salt or kosher salt is recommended.
How much scallion is needed for the filling?
The recipe uses 2 cups of chopped scallions.
How much butter or oil is needed for the layers?
Approximately 0.5 cup of melted butter or oil is needed for the pastry layers.
Can I use cooking spray instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for using cooking spray as an alternative to melted butter for the phyllo layers.