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Spinach and Cheese Pie

Spanakotyropitta

Pies of all sorts are an important element in the gastronomic history of Greece. For me, this spinach and feta pie brings back wonderful memories of a three-hour lunch in a quaint, whitewashed taverna, while sheltering from fierce midday sun on the unspoilt island of Lipsoi.

preparation time 45 minutes

cooking time 40 to 50 minutes

serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

75 g (3 oz) spring onions, finely diced

1 kg (2 lb) fresh spinach, washed

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

4 eggs, beaten

250 g (8 oz) feta cheese, crumbled into small pieces

175 g (6 oz) butter, melted

500 g (1 lb) filo pastry

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 Preheat the oven to 190°C, 375°F, gas mark 5.

2 Heat the oil in a deep pan, add the onion, spring onions and spinach and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.

3 Add the dill and parsley and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.

4 Mix together the eggs and feta. Using a slotted spoon, remove the spinach and onion mixture from the pan, leaving any liquid behind, and add to the eggs and cheese.

5 Use a little of the melted butter to grease a 25 cm (10 inch) flan tin with a removable base.

6 Lay a sheet of filo pastry out on a work surface and brush with melted butter, then put it over the base of the tin. Repeat with half the filo sheets, layering them over the base and sides of the tin and allowing them to overlap the sides. Keep the rest of the filo covered with cling film or a damp tea towel so it does not dry out.

7 Spread the filling evenly over the pastry and fold over the overlapping sheets of filo.

8 Brush the remaining sheets of filo with butter and arrange them on top of the filling, then pour over any remaining butter.

9 Bake the pie for 35–45 minutes, until well browned. Remove from the oven and leave to rest for 10 minutes, then cut into slices and serve.

Kevin’s Tip

For an even more adventurous finish, try using more than one type of cheese but to the same quantity as in the recipe. Select cheeses with different tastes and textures.