Greek Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita)

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(from Bethany’s recipe box)

Serves 6 to 8 as a main dish or 10 to 12 as an appetizer
Full-fat sour cream can be substituted for whole-milk Greek yogurt. Phyllo dough is also available in large 14 by 18-inch sheets; if using, cut them in half to make 14 by 9-inch sheets. Don’t thaw the phyllo in the microwave—let it sit in the refrigerator overnight or on the countertop for four to five hours. To make ahead, freeze the spanakopita on the baking sheet, wrapped well in plastic wrap, or cut the spanakopita in half crosswise and freeze smaller sections on a plate. Bake the spanakopita frozen, increasing the baking time by 5 to 10 minutes.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
The roots of this savory spinach and feta pie, with its trademark layers of flaky, crisp phyllo, run deep in Greek culture, yet most stateside versions are nothing more than soggy layers of phyllo with a sparse, bland filling. We wanted a casserole-style pie with a perfect balance of zesty spinach filling and shatteringly crisp phyllo crust—and we didn’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. Using store-bought phyllo was an easy timesaver. Among the various spinach options (baby, frozen, mature curly-leaf), tasters favored the bold flavor of fresh curly-leaf spinach that had been microwaved, coarsely chopped, then squeezed of excess moisture. Crumbling the feta into fine pieces ensured a salty tang in every bite, while the addition of Greek yogurt buffered the assertiveness of the feta. We found that Pecorino Romano (a good stand-in for a traditional Greek hard sheep’s-milk cheese) added complexity to the filling and, when sprinkled between the sheets of phyllo, helped the flaky layers hold together. Using a baking sheet rather than a baking dish allowed excess moisture to easily evaporate, ensuring a crisp crust.

Source: America's Test Kitchen Season 12: Mediterranean Specials

Categories: Greek

Ingredients

  • FILLING
  • 2 (10-ounce) bags curly leaf spinach, rinsed
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 12 ounces feta cheese, rinsed, patted dry, and crumbled into fine pieces (about 3 cups)
  • 3/4 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt (see note)
  • 4 medium scallions, sliced thin (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh mint leaves
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill leaves
  • 3 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 teaspoon grated zest plus 1 tablespoon juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • PHYLLO LAYERS
  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 pound (14 by 9-inch) phyllo, thawed (see note)
  • 1 1/2 ounces Pecorino Romano, grated fine (about 3/4 cup)
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

  1. FOR THE FILLING: Place spinach and water in large microwave-safe bowl. Cover bowl with large dinner plate. Microwave on high power until spinach is wilted and decreased in volume by half, about 5 minutes. Using potholders, remove bowl from microwave and keep covered, 1 minute. Carefully remove plate and transfer spinach to colander set in sink. Using back of rubber spatula, gently press spinach against colander to release excess liquid. Transfer spinach to cutting board and roughly chop. Transfer spinach to clean kitchen towel and squeeze to remove excess water. Place drained spinach in large bowl. Add remaining filling ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined. (Filling can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.)

  2. FOR THE PHYLLO LAYERS: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Using pastry brush, lightly brush 14 by 9-inch rectangle in center of parchment with melted butter to cover area same size as phyllo. Lay 1 phyllo sheet on buttered parchment, and brush thoroughly with melted butter. Repeat with 9 more phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter (you should have total of 10 layers of phyllo).

  3. Spread spinach mixture evenly over phyllo, leaving ¼-inch border on all sides. Cover spinach with 6 more phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter and sprinkling each with about 2 tablespoons Pecorino cheese. Lay 2 more phyllo sheets on top, brushing each with butter (these layers should not be sprinkled with Pecorino).

  4. Working from center outward, use palms of your hands to compress layers and press out any air pockets. Using sharp knife, score pie through the top 3 layers of phyllo into 24 equal pieces. Sprinkle with sesame seeds (if using). Bake until phyllo is golden and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 10 minutes or up to 2 hours. Slide spanakopita, still on parchment, to cutting board. Cut into squares and serve.

  5. TECHNIQUE – SPANAKOPITA GONE WRONG The average square of spinach pie served up in a Greek diner is so flawed, we’re surprised anyone ever orders it. PROBLEM: Top sheets of phyllo fall off when pie is sliced, leaving filling virtually exposed SOLUTION: A sprinkling of grated Pecorino Romano (substituting for a Greek sheep’s milk cheese) between some of the top layers of phyllo glues them together more firmly than the usual butter alone, so the top crust stays put. PROBLEM: Dull-tasting, woody filling made with frozen spinach SOLUTION: We use chopped fresh mature spinach (not baby leaves, which contribute only weak taste) precooked in the microwave, squeezed of excess moisture, and brightened with fresh herbs, lemon juice, and zest. PROBLEM: Soggy bottom crust SOLUTION: A thinner layer of filling cuts down on moisture, and baking the pie on a baking sheet, not in a baking dish, allows excess liquid to evaporate so the crust can crisp up. Our spanakopita avoids all the usual problems.

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