Spanakopita is a Greek dish with a savory filling of cheese and spinach. It is traditionally served as a main course in many restaurants and can also be eaten as a side dish or appetizer. Fortunately, preparing this recipe isn’t as difficult as you might think. Once you understand the basic steps, you can be on your way to making your own delicious and nutritious version.
Origins
Spanakopita is a Greek pie made from spinach and cheese. An appetizer is usually served warm and accompanied by a garlicky yogurt sauce.
The history of spanakopita is unclear, but the recipe is believed to have originated in the Epirus region of northwest Greece. Although the origins of this pie are a little hazy, it is clear that it has been a staple of Greek cuisine for thousands of years.
Spanakopita is made with spinach and feta cheese. Some recipes suggest that the filling may include sauteed onions or leeks instead of spinach. This variation of the dish is sometimes called kefalotyri. The filling combines herbs, spices, and feta regardless of the recipe.
When making spanakopita, the dough is made from phyllo, a flaky pastry. The pastry is made with a leavening agent and olive oil.
Ingredients
Spanakopita is a Greek spinach pie made with phyllo dough. It is a classic pie that is usually served in a casserole dish. Often it is topped with a bit of Parmesan cheese. Some variations on the recipe include feta or cottage cheese in the filling.
The key to making spanakopita is the use of feta. It’s also a good idea to add yogurt to the filling. Yogurt helps to aid the digestion of meat. Whether plain or mixed with cucumbers, it’s a tasty way to add some variety to the recipe.
If you want to add some spiciness to the recipe, you could add cayenne pepper. You can also try using black or white sesame seeds for a signature look’.
Preparation
Spanakopita is a popular Greek dish. It is made with filo pastry, spinach, feta cheese, and onions. This tasty savory pie is perfect for lunch or dinner.
Spanakopita can be prepared from scratch or with store-bought phyllo dough. The latter is usually found in the frozen section of your grocery store.
Phyllo is a type of thin pastry that is usually made into savory pies. However, it’s also used in making sweet pastries.
For this spanakopita recipe, you will need spinach leaves, butter, a couple of feta cheeses, and some garlic. Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients, you’ll need to prepare the phyllo dough.
First, cut the phyllo into four equal pieces. Then, cut them into strips that are about 12 inches by 3 inches each. To create an open-face tart, you’ll need to use a sharp knife to score the phyllo only through the top layer.
Storage
If you love spanakopita but find eating it every day a bit intimidating, you may not be aware that it’s easy to store. This Greek delicacy comprises five layers of phyllo (filo) dough. It’s a great way to enjoy the flavor of feta cheese, spinach, and olives without spending much time in the kitchen.
Spanakopita can be stored in the freezer for up to two months. However, it’s best to bake it before freezing. Once frozen, the pastry won’t lose its crispness, and its flavor won’t be affected.
You can make a batch of spanakopita in advance and freeze it. Then, if you plan on serving the pie immediately, you can warm it up in the oven.
Reheating
Spanakopita is a traditional Greek dish made with layers of phyllo dough. It is a perfect accompaniment for lamb or as an appetizer with dips and salad. The filling is often made with spinach, garlic, feta, and fresh herbs, depending on the recipe. Spanakopita is also a good source of calcium and iron.
Spanakopita is usually served with a tzatziki sauce, a beautiful accompaniment. The following week, I’ll share a recipe for Tzatziki.
Spanakopita is a Greek pie made with layers of flaky phyllo dough. It is best reheated in the oven, or it can be eaten cold.
Spanakopita is made with spinach, feta, and phyllo dough. Spinach contains a lot of antioxidants, while feta has a higher fat content. All of these ingredients help make the dish a healthy and tasty meal.
