Crunchy filo pastry nests: A quick, impressive meal option

Filo pastry remains decidedly in the shadow of puff pastry. However, this recipe plays the leading role, enveloping spinach, eggs, and cheeses in a crunchy crust. This simple recipe is perfect for a quick lunch, an impressive snack, or a warm dinner.

This recipe was inspired by khachapuri. The heart of the dish is usually an egg and a mixture of Georgian cheeses, but here, the foundation is filo pastry. This extremely thin, non-yeast layered pastry forms the basis of many delicious dishes in Balkan and Mediterranean cuisines. The name "filo" comes from Greek and means “leaf,” which perfectly conveys its delicate, paper-like structure. In this recipe, it works brilliantly, enveloping the egg and cheese filling.

This recipe looks impressive, yet it is not too difficult to make. It works wonderfully for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can serve them as a main dish or as a starter. There are many options, so it's definitely worth having this recipe up your sleeve, especially when you spot filo pastry in the shop.

Ingredients:

• 8 sheets of filo pastry
• 2 oz melted butter
• 7 oz feta cheese
• 10 oz grated mozzarella
• 13 oz chopped spinach
• 2 teaspoons dried garlic
• 4 eggs
• 1.5 oz almond flakes

Method:

Step 1. Brush a sheet of filo pastry with melted butter. Lay another sheet on top and sprinkle it with grated cheese, feta, and spinach.

Step 2. Sprinkle with dried garlic and gather the edges to form a nest. Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper.

Step 3. Drizzle with melted butter and place in an oven preheated to 350°F for 20 minutes. After this time, remove from the oven and crack an egg into each nest. Sprinkle with almond flakes and bake for another 8 minutes. Enjoy!