My Big Fat Greek Spinach Pie

  • 1
  • 45 mins
  • 70 mins

Ingredients

  • 2 (10 ounce) packages fresh spinach
  • 1 ⁄2 cup water (for steaming spinach)
  • 12 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • 3 ⁄4 cup whole strained Greek yogurt
  • 1 ⁄2 cup drained marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
  • 1 ⁄2 cup green onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 ⁄4 cup fresh mint leaves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest, finely grated
  • 1 1⁄2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 ⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 ⁄2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 ⁄2 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 ⁄2 lb thawed phyllo pastry dough (use 14-inch x 9-inch)
  • 1 ⁄2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 ⁄4 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated

Preparation

Step 1

THAW phyllo dough according to package directions; PLACE oven rack in lower third position; PREHEAT oven to 425°F ; SELECT a 14 x 9 deep metal baking sheet pan; SPRAY inner baking sheet surface with non-stick cooking spray; INSERT and fit a large sheet of parchment paper (not waxed paper!) into sheet pan; PRESS parchment paper in firmly.

RINSE spinach and transfer into a large microwave-safe bowl containing 1/2 cup water; COVER bowl with a large plate; MICROWAVE on high power for 5 minutes. LET stand 1 minute; WEARING oven mitts, remove bowl from microwave; REMOVE plate from bowl; CAREFULLY drain spinach in colander placed in sink; PRESS spinach against colander to extract excess water; PLACE drained spinach on cutting board; COARSELY chop spinach; PLACE chopped spinach onto center of clean kitchen towel; SQUEEZE out as much moisture as possible into sink.

TRANSFER spinach into a large mixing bowl; ADD the remaining filling ingredients; STIR mixture until thoroughly combined.

LAY one sheet phyllo into baking dish, and brush thoroughly with melted butter; REPEAT procedure with 9 more phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter.

SPREAD spinach mixture evenly over phyllo, leaving a one-quarter inch border free on all sides.

COVER spinach with one phyllo sheet, brushing with butter; SPRINKLE buttered phyllo sheet with 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese; LAY another 2 sheets phyllo on top of cheese-sprinkled layer; BRUSH with butter (do not add cheese to the following two sheets); REPEAT with one more phyllo sheet.

PRESS layers gently with hands to release residual air pockets; SCORE the pie using a sharp knife through the top 3 phyllo layers into 9-12 equal pieces.

BAKE for 20-25 minutes, or until phyllo is golden brown and crispy; COOL pie at least 10 minutes.

LIFT out and slide parchment insert containing pie carefully onto a cutting surface; SLICE along scores, lifting pie from parchment with a sharp spatula before serving.

SERVE and enjoy!