Taste of Greece: Discovering the irresistible spanakopita

Spanakopita is a traditional Greek dish, which can be translated as "spinach pie," and it perfectly captures the essence of the dish. It’s a type of casserole made from phyllo dough filled with a spinach, feta cheese, and herb filling. Spanakopita can be served as a main dish or a snack. Its simplicity and delicious taste make it beloved by both Greeks and tourists.

This delicious pie combines the flakiness of phyllo dough, feta's saltiness, and spinach's tenderness. Adults love it, and many children will gladly reach for spinach presented in this form.

Similar to other Greek delicacies, the secret to spanakopita's unique taste is high-quality ingredients. When preparing it, it’s worth getting fresh spinach and authentic feta rather than salad or sandwich cheese. The difference is easily noticeable in this dish.

Ingredients:

• 5 sheets of phyllo dough,
• 100 ml (roughly 3.5 oz) olive oil,
• 50 ml (about 2 oz) water,
• 500 g (aim for 1 lb) fresh spinach,
• 200 g (approximately 7 oz) crumbled feta cheese,
• 1 medium onion,
• 2 cloves of garlic,
• 2 eggs,
• 100 ml (approximately 3.5 oz) cream,
• Half a bunch of parsley,
• Half a bunch of dill,
• Pepper and salt to taste,
• Olive oil for brushing.

Preparation:

1. Heat a pan over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion in olive oil until translucent. Add the pressed garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
2. Add the spinach and simmer over low heat until it reduces in volume. Drain any excess water.
3. In a bowl, mix the spinach with feta cheese, eggs, cream, chopped parsley, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
4. In another bowl, mix the olive oil with water.
5. Brush one sheet of phyllo dough with the olive oil and water mixture. Place a second sheet on top and repeat the brushing.
6. Line a baking dish (roughly 23x30 cm) with two layers of dough, leaving excess dough on the edges.
7. Spread the filling on the dough, leaving about 2 cm of free edge on each side.
8. Fold the dough edges inward to create a wavy edge.
9. Brush the top of the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional).
10. Bake the spanakopita at 180°C (around 350°F) for about 40 minutes, until the dough becomes golden and crispy.
11. Remove from the oven and let it cool before cutting into portions.

The delicious spanakopita is ready to charm you with its taste and transport you back to memories of a Greek island. Enjoy!