Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)

The secret to my spanakopita is 3 kinds of onion - red onion, spring onions and leek. If you are lacking one, just add more of the others, but this is the 'secret ingredient' to an excellent pie. Enjoy!
by evelyn/athens

1½ hours | 45 min prep

SERVES 15 -18

Pastry

1 lb country-style phyllo pastry (if you can't get that, regular phyllo pastry will do)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, approximately

Spinach Filling

1/4 cup olive oil
2 lbs spinach, cleaned, tough stems removed
6 spring onions, cleaned, sliced in 1/4 inch lengths
1 leek, white and tender part of green, cleaned, sliced in 1/4 inch lengths (if very large, slice leek in half lengthwise before slicing)
1 medium red onion, chopped fine
3/4 cup fresh dill, minced
1/2-3/4 lb feta cheese, crumbled (this is a matter of personal taste. I like my spanakopita 'sweeter' and therefore use the lesser amount)
3 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan and sauté the onions and leek until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the spinach and sauté until the leaves have wilted and the liquid has cooked off, about 8-10 minutes.

2. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool somewhat. When cool enough to handle, finely chop the spinach and place in a large bowl.

3. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

4. Lightly oil (always use olive oil!) a 12 inch in diameter, metal baking pan (you can use a larger baking pan - you will just have a thinner pita, but don't use a smaller one), or a 10 x 15 inch rectangular baking pan.

5. Add dill and feta cheese to the spinach. Add salt and pepper to taste (careful with the salt - the feta will add quite a bit of its own). Pour the eggs over and give a stir to combine well.

6. Open up the phyllo pastry and place on a work surface. If using the country style pastry proceed, if using the thinner phyllo; cover with a damp cloth. (Continue to cover the pastry sheets with the damp cloth each time you remove one as you prepare the pie.).

7. Layer the phyllo in the pan, allowing the edges to hang over the sides of the pan, brushing each phyllo layer generously with olive oil.

8. Use up half the phyllo sheets to make the bottom pastry layer, allowing excess pastry to drape over edge of pan.

9. Put the spinach mixture in and press the top down gently to smooth filling. Tuck in the pastry draping over the edges.

10. Repeat layering with the remaining phyllo, oiling each sheet generously.

11. Using a sharp knife, score the upper layers of pastry into the size pieces you will want to serve once the pie is baked- BE CAREFUL NOT TO CUT THROUGH BOTTOM PASTRY.

12. Bake the pie in the middle of the oven for approximately 40-45 minutes until it is golden brown. For the last 15-20 minutes, I put my baking pan directly on the oven floor to crisp it better.

13. Cool till just warm (we never, but never eat this hot! The flavours just wouldn't come through properly). Cut into serving pieces and serve either just warm or at room temperature.

14. Note: If my spinach filling appears to be too 'wet', I often take 2 of the phyllo sheets and use them as a 'layer' between the spinach filling; these sheets absorb the extra liquid (they must not be brushed with oil).