Description
Savory spinach and cheese pastry brings Mediterranean comfort to your kitchen, blending rich flavors from traditional Greek cuisine. Each golden, flaky bite promises a delightful journey through herbs, creamy cheese, and delicate pastry layers you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Pastry
Cheeses:
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten
- Sesame seeds
- Nigella seeds
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium-low temperature, creating a gentle sizzling surface.
- Introduce minced garlic and gently swirl for approximately 30 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence without browning.
- Incorporate fresh spinach leaves, stirring consistently until they collapse and transform into a vibrant green, compact mass (roughly 2 minutes). For frozen spinach, meticulously drain excess moisture to prevent waterlogging.
- Transfer the verdant spinach mixture into a spacious mixing vessel, allowing slight temperature reduction to prevent ingredient separation.
- Fold ricotta cheese, crumbled feta, shredded mozzarella, rich egg yolk, delicate salt crystals, freshly ground black pepper, and a whisper of nutmeg into the cooled spinach. Blend thoroughly, ensuring uniform distribution of each ingredient.
- Gently integrate the cheese-spinach fusion, creating a harmonious, creamy filling with balanced flavors and consistent texture.
- Prepare the pastry surface, ready to receive the luxurious stuffing mixture, anticipating a golden, flaky exterior.
Notes
- Drain spinach thoroughly to prevent soggy pastry, using a clean kitchen towel or fine-mesh strainer to remove excess moisture.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like goat cheese or parmesan for unique flavor profiles that complement the spinach.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free puff pastry or replace with phyllo dough for a lighter, crispier texture.
- Enhance the filling’s nutrition by adding chopped pine nuts or sun-dried tomatoes for extra depth and crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 60mg