Spinach, Pine Nut, and Feta Pie |
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Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 35 Minutes |
Ready In: 45 Minutes Servings: 6 |
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Simple, handsome, rich, and tasty, and only one pan. I believe that phyllo/filo comes in different sized packages in the US and UK. I used half of a one-pound package of Athens frozen phyllo sheets, which comes in two separate 8 ounce (227 g) packages inside the box. Do NOT obsess over neatness, this pie looks raggedy and rustic. Adapted from a Jamie Oliver recipe. Ingredients:
100 g pine nuts |
5 large eggs |
300 g crumbled feta cheese |
50 g shredded cheddar cheese |
salt, pepper |
1 lemon, zest of |
dried oregano |
1 whole nutmeg |
knob butter (about 1 to 2 tbsp.) |
olive oil |
400 g pre-washed baby spinach |
cooking parchment paper (greaseproof paper) |
1 (270 g) package phyllo pastry |
cayenne (optional) |
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400F/200°C Pick a large ovenproof frying pan; this will be the only pan you need.
2. Toast the pine nuts in the dry pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally so they won't scorch.
3. Lightly beat the eggs in a large bowl, add the toasted pine nuts, the cheeses, a pinch of fresh black or white pepper, the lemon zest, a couple of good pinches of oregano, about 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, and a tablespoon of olive oil. Mix well and set aside.
4. Put the empty pan back on high heat, add a little olive oil and the butter and half the spinach. Stir it until it starts wilting, and add the rest of the raw leaves as you can. Partially cover it and turn the heat to low, stirring occasionally until it is all wilted and well cooked, about 5-10 minutes. Set it aside to cool a bit. Add it to the egg mixture and stir well.
5. Cut a generous piece of parchment about 1 1/2 times the width of the pan you're using. Wet it, ball it up, and lay it out flat on your work surface. Arrange several (4 or so, depending upon size) phyllo sheets on top of it to almost cover the paper, overlapping the edges. Remember, it's rustic, so messy will work as well as meticulous. Drizzle and rub (or brush) a little olive oil over the surface of the sheets. Sprinkle with a very small amount of salt, pepper, and (optional) cayenne pepper. Repeat until you have at least 3 layers, using up all the phyllo.
6. Carefully lift the phyllo and parchment and place it all in the frying pan (don't bother to wash the pan first) with the edges hanging over the rim of the pan. Pour in the egg filling and spread it out. Fold the phyllo sheets over the top of the filling. You can see how it's done /how-to-filo-pie.
7. Put the pan back on the stove burner on medium heat for 5 or so minutes to brown the bottom, then put it into the oven and bake it for 20 minutes until golden and crisp. Serve hot or warm.
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