Spanakopita (Greek Spinach and Cheese Pie)

Name: Spanakopita (Greek Spinach and Cheese Pie)
Total time: 5400 s
Yield: 15 pieces
Ingredients: 10 1/2 oz spinach, washed, trimmed, and chopped (300 grams); 1 bunch (about 7 roots) wild chervil, finely chopped; 2 leeks, white parts only, finely chopped; 2 green onions, finely chopped (including green parts); 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped; 3/4 bunch dill, finely chopped; 1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped; 4 tbsp plain Greek yogurt, 2% (about 60 grams); 2 eggs, beaten; 7 oz feta cheese, slightly tangy (200 grams); 7 oz graviera cheese, coarsely grated (200 grams); Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon; Coarse salt and black pepper; 3 tbsp plain breadcrumbs; Olive oil; Preheated oven (convection); Rectangular baking dish (about 12 inches long / 30 cm); 1/2 bunch fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped

Pavlina Dimou @cook_14131797

After years, I was inspired to make spanakopita. I spent two days searching online for recipes, and each one was similar yet different. I especially got confused about how to layer the phyllo dough. So, I ended up creating my own recipe, which is a mix of everything I read.

Pavlina Dimou @cook_14131797

Saved

Ingredients

90 minutes

15 pieces

10 1/2 ozspinach, washed, trimmed, and chopped (300 grams)
1 bunch(about 7 roots) wild chervil, finely chopped
2leeks, white parts only, finely chopped
2green onions, finely chopped (including green parts)
1medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3/4 bunchdill, finely chopped
1/2 bunchparsley, finely chopped
4 tbspplain Greek yogurt, 2% (about 60 grams)
2eggs, beaten
7 ozfeta cheese, slightly tangy (200 grams)
7 ozgraviera cheese, coarsely grated (200 grams)
Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
Coarse salt and black pepper
3 tbspplain breadcrumbs
Olive oil
Preheated oven (convection)
Rectangular baking dish (about 12 inches long / 30 cm)
1/2 bunchfresh mint leaves, roughly chopped

Saved

Steps

90 minutes

1

Wash the wild chervil thoroughly and chop finely. Drain very well. Do the same for the spinach, even if the package says it's pre-washed. If there are large pieces, tear them into smaller ones by hand.
2

Place the greens in a large bowl with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Squeeze and crush them with your hands, then let them sit to release their juices.
3

Finely chop the onion, green onions, and leeks. Sauté in a large skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil, stirring constantly.
4

When softened, drain the greens from step 1 and add them to the skillet. Sauté for 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until most of the liquid evaporates. Remove from heat and set aside.
5

In a bowl, combine the feta, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mash the feta well with a fork. Add the grated graviera and Greek yogurt.
6

Roughly chop a handful of mint, and finely chop the parsley and dill. Add all of these to the skillet (off the heat) along with black pepper, and mix well. Enjoy the amazing aroma!
7

Add the skillet mixture to the cheese bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons olive oil, beaten eggs, and salt. Mix everything very well.
8

Open the package of phyllo dough. Brush the baking dish with olive oil and lay one sheet of phyllo parallel to the dish. Do not press it down. Drizzle olive oil over the top. Repeat with two more sheets.
9

Place the 4th and 5th sheets perpendicular to the dish. Do not press them in; drizzle olive oil between each sheet.
10

Add the filling and spread it evenly with a spoon. Fold the overhanging phyllo sheets over the filling and drizzle with olive oil.
11

Lay one sheet of phyllo parallel to the dish, brush with olive oil, then another sheet perpendicular, brush with olive oil, and continue alternating until you have one sheet left.
12

Before adding the last sheet, fold all the overhanging phyllo edges inward. It's best to brush these with olive oil as well.
13

Place the final sheet of phyllo on top, drizzle with olive oil, and smooth the surface and edges.
14

Use a knife to cut the pie as deeply as possible before baking.
15

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) on the lowest rack for 30 minutes, then move to the top rack and bake for another 30 minutes.