My Recipe Box - Spanakopitas

I have made Greek meat pies also known as spanakopitas many times and eaten spinach pies in Greek restaurants. We had a large frozen bag of kale from Costco so I decided to make pies with the kale instead. This recipe is very easy even though it says intermediate.

Dinner Spanakopitas
2008, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, All Rights Reserved

Prep Time:20 minute active Prep Time: -- Cook Time:1 hr 0 min
Level:
Intermediate this was easy to make
Serves:
12 strudels


Ingredients
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
3 scallions, white and green parts, chopped I omitted
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, defrosted I used kale
4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Plain dry bread crumbs
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg Could be increased if you wish

I would also add some oregano and thyme2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups small-diced feta cheese (12 ounces)
3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts I omitted
24 sheets frozen phyllo dough, defrosted
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Flaked sea salt, such as Maldon, for sprinkling wouldn't do this again, was too salty for us. I did however, sprinkle them with Parmesan.


Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan, add the onion, and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Add the scallions, and cook for another 2 minutes until the scallions are wilted but still green. Meanwhile, gently squeeze most of the water out of the spinach and place it in a large bowl.

When the onion and scallions are done, add them to the spinach. Mix in the eggs, Parmesan cheese, 3 tablespoons bread crumbs, the nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Gently fold in the feta and pine nuts.

Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough flat on a work surface with the long end in front of you. Brush the dough lightly with butter and sprinkle it with a teaspoon of bread crumbs. Working quickly, slide another sheet of phyllo dough on top of the first, brush it with butter, and sprinkle lightly with bread crumbs. (Use just enough bread crumbs so the layers of phyllo don't stick together.) Pile 4 layers total on top of each other this way, brushing each with butter and sprinkling with bread crumbs. Cut the sheets of phyllo in half lengthwise. Place 1/3 cup spinach filling on the shorter end and roll the phyllo up diagonally as if folding a flag. Then fold the triangle of phyllo over straight and then diagonally again. Continue folding first diagonally and then straight until you reach the end of the sheet. The filling should be totally enclosed. Continue assembling phyllo layers and folding the filling until all of the filling is used. Place on a sheet pan, seam sides down. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with flaked salt, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the phyllo is browned and crisp. Serve hot.