Sirious Spanakopita

Yesterday I went to the market for eggs and only eggs. I strategically walk down certain aisles when I'm only at the market for one thing, so as not to lure myself into making unnecessary purchases. The frozen food aisle looked safe, and the eggs were just around the corner, when... PHYLLO DOUGH! Look at that! Look at that picture of spanakopita on the box! I could make that!! So I left the market with eggs, phyllo dough, spinach and feta cheese. Oops.

After reading a few recipes, I put together what sounded tasty to me and it worked! I am in love with these little triangles. The buttery, flaky crust... salty feta and Romano cheeses... a nutty crunch from the pine nuts... and the lemon, spices and garlic do wonders for the spinach. A perfect appetizer or side dish.

Sirious Spanakopita
(Makes 9 triangles)
Printable Recipe

9 sheets phyllo dough
10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed
6 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1 small shallot, minced (roughly 2 T)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
Olive oil
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350. In a small dry saucepan, toast pine nuts over medium heat until slightly golden. Set aside in a medium bowl.


In same saucepan, heat olive oil (enough to cover bottom of pan) over medium heat. Add minced garlic and shallot and saute for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside and let cool.


Take thawed spinach and squeeze out excess water in a dish towel or paper towel. In the bowl with the pine nuts, add spinach, feta, romano, lemon zest and juice, nutmeg and oregano, beaten egg and cooled garlic and shallots. Combine with spoon.


Remove phyllo sheets from box and make sure to cover with a damp dish towel, otherwise they will dry out.


Take one sheet and place on smooth surface. Brush entire sheet with melted butter. Place another sheet on top of first sheet, and brush that one with butter. Repeat with a third sheet.


I will never give this brush away in a giveaway because it is sh*t.


Cut into thirds, vertically, so that you have three 2.5 inch long columns. Add a large spoonful (roughly 1/4 cup) of filling to end of each column, closest to you. Place it to the right of each end, so that you can begin folding your triangle from the bottom left corner.


Take bottom left corner of phyllo sheets and fold over your filling so that you have a triangle. Then fold that triangle up, then to the left, then up, then to the right, etc., until it is entirely folded. I hope this makes sense, it's easier than it sounds.


Place each triangle on a lightly buttered baking sheet. Brush the tops of each with more butter.


Bake for 10-15 minutes, until tops are lightly golden.


I ate one for breakfast. And just now, for lunch. That's normal, I think.