This is the real deal. Homemade spanakopita crafted by my very own mother. You can't get more traditional than that.
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Greek
Prep Time 45minutes
Cook Time 45minutes
Resting Time: (for dough) 10minutes
Total Time 1hour40minutes
Servings 3pies
Calories 1020kcal
Author Peter G
Ingredients
HOMEMADE FILLO
3cupsflourplain (all-purpose)
4tbspolive oilextra virgin
1tspsalt
½tspsugar
1cup water
SPINACH AND FETA FILLING
1kgspinachwashed and stems removed
2tbspsalt
250gfeta cheese
100gricotta cheese
2eggs
1pinchwhite pepper
½tbspdillfinely chopped
1tbspmintfinely chopped
Instructions
Place the flour in a large bowl and add the olive oil. Rub the olive oil through the flour until it is fully incorporated. Add the salt, sugar and enough water to form a dough.
Knead the dough on a large floured surface for ten minutes until soft and elastic. Place it back into a large bowl, cover and allow to rest for ten minutes.
Place the spinach leaves into a colander and sprinkle over the salt. Allow the spinach to rest for ten minutes. Squeeze excess water from spinach using your hands. Place the spinach in a new bowl along with the feta, ricotta, pepper, eggs and herbs. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
To make one coil or "snake" divide the dough into 3 pieces. Place one piece of dough onto a well floured surface. Using your "plasti" or wooden curtain rod proceed to roll the dough to form a circle. Continue rolling, ensuring there is enough flour between each roll. You should end up with one large thin piece of fillo.
Drizzle a little olive oil over the newly rolled fillo sheet and place ⅓ of the spinach mixture at the bottom end of the fillo sheet leaving a few cms from the border. Roll the fillo up gently ensuring it is shaped like a coil and place into a well-greased round baking dish. Repeat with the remaining fillo sheets and filling. Brush a generous amount of olive oil over the pita and bake in preheated 200 deg C oven for 45 mins until golden. Allow to rest for 10 mins. before slicing and serving.