Spanakopita

By Reen

Ingredients

• 3 pounds spinach see * Note
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion peeled, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves crushed
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 pound feta cheese crumbled
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon crushed dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 10 sheets phyllo dough
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Details

Servings 12

Preparation

Step 1

* Note: To substitute frozen spinach, use two 10-ounce packages for every 3 pounds of fresh.

Rinse spinach leaves vigorously in several changes of cold water; remove tough stems. Place in a large bowl and sprinkle with coarse salt. Rub salt into the leaves, tearing up the spinach by rubbing it between your hands (spinach volume will decrease drastically). Rinse salt off, squeeze excess water from spinach and blot dry with paper towels.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat first addition of olive oil and butter in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, mushrooms, garlic, salt and pepper. Saute until onion is fragrant and translucent and mushrooms are tender, 5 to 7 minutes; remove from heat and set aside.

Beat eggs in a large bowl. Add feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, spinach and onion/mushroom mixture. Stir in parsley, oregano, rosemary and nutmeg.

Place one phyllo sheet in 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking pan, letting edges hang over; brush with olive oil. Repeat with four more sheets. Add spinach filling, smoothing to edges with a spatula or wooden spoon. Top with remaining five phyllo sheets, brushing each with oil, including the top layer. Trim the edges with a small, sharp knife or with scissors.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until thoroughly heated and golden brown on top.

This recipe yields 12 servings.