Greek Spanakopita
Description
This traditional Greek Spanakopita is a crowd-pleasing vegetarian delight featuring a rich, savory filling of fresh spinach, tangy feta cheese, and aromatic herbs. The magic lies in the delicate, paper-thin layers of filo dough brushed generously with melted butter, creating a shatteringly crisp exterior that contrasts beautifully with the moist, creamy interior. Perfectly seasoned with oregano, onion, and garlic, this dish offers a balanced flavor profile that is both comforting and elegant. It serves as an excellent main course for a light lunch or a sophisticated appetizer for dinner parties and potlucks.Directions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Wash the fresh spinach thoroughly and tear leaves into small pieces.
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Place spinach in a large bowl, sprinkle generously with salt, and massage the leaves to release moisture.
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Rinse the spinach thoroughly to remove excess salt and squeeze out all liquid using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth.
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic until soft and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs.
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Add the drained spinach, crumbled feta cheese, sautéed onion and garlic, oregano, and pepper to the beaten eggs.
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Mix well to combine all filling ingredients.
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Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish or similar oblong pan.
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Unroll the filo dough and cover with a damp towel to prevent drying out.
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Place one sheet of filo dough in the bottom of the baking dish and brush lightly with melted butter.
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Repeat with remaining sheets, brushing each with butter, until only 3 or 4 sheets are left, allowing edges to hang over the sides of the pan.
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Pour the spinach and feta filling into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
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Fold the overhanging filo edges over the filling.
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Layer the remaining 3-4 sheets of filo dough on top, brushing each sheet generously with melted butter.
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Using a sharp knife, cut 3 or 4 steam vent slits in the top layer down to the filling.
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Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
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Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12 servings
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 338kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 22.5g35%
- Saturated Fat 10.8g54%
- Cholesterol 362mg121%
- Sodium 921mg39%
- Total Carbohydrate 11.5g4%
- Dietary Fiber 5.0g20%
- Sugars 4.2g
- Protein 25.9g52%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.