Sunny Sunflower Spinach Pie | Spanakopita | Forks N Knives

Sunny Sunflower Spinach Pie | Spanakopita

Tuesday, October 7, 2014
I have no clue how to start, can we just admire the above beauty for  some time???

I wasn't thinking about preparing any spinach pie, i just opened my fridge for the nth time and saw a bunch of spinach staring straight at me. Bang on!! Within a few minutes i was all set to go. This pie,apart from being real pleasing to the eye, tastes pretty good too...my husband isnt much fond of sweet baked items but if its something like this,would be finished in a matter of few minutes..

Before we get baking, as beautiful and difficult it looks,it isnt,having some amount of patience will really help though...:D

Start by preparing the dough. This is like an all purpose dough, can be used for pizza, bread and anything which calls for it. I have used a mix of all purpose flour and whole wheat flour.

Place some flour in a bowl,create a well,add some olive oil,sugar,dry yeast,luke warm water and mix,should be little runny,cover and let it rise for 15 minutes. Make sure water is just warm and not hot,yeast gets killed and doesnt get activated.

This is how it will look after 15 minutes,now add the remaining flour and knead into a soft dough. It takes 10-15 minutes by hand.

Allow the dough to rise for an hour and knead it again. Leave it for a second rise, i left for an hour more.

Meanwhile steam or boil some spinach and squeeze the water, add ricotta cheese,spices,egg yolk,bread crumbs and mix well.

Divide the dough into two portions and start rolling it in a circle. Now i have tried capturing all steps,see if you guys can understand it. Start by placing the spinach as shown in the picture.

Place the second rolled circle on top and pinch at all sides with fork and cut extra uneven dough. Place either a coffe mug,a glass or a bowl at centre and apply little force to create a circle.


Cut sides with a sharp knife.


Now just pinch the cut edges.


Give the egg white wash. Sprinkle some poppy seeds and pine nuts at centre.



Bake for 30 minutes or till it turns brown.



Now who will not  be impressed with this??? I managed to shock to everyone!!


Ingredients:
For Dough:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 packet dry yeast
warm water
pinch of salt
2 tsps olive oil
1 tsp sugar

For filling:
A bunch of spinach
2 green chillies
ricotta cheese
seasonings
turmeric powder
cumin seeds
garam masala
bread crumbs 5 tsps
1 egg yolk

Method:

Mix all pupose flour with warm water,yeast ,salt ,sugar and olive oil. Allow to rest for 15 minutes. Add whole wheat flour and knead the dough well by hands for atleast 12-15 minutes. Allow it to rise for 30-45 minutes or till it doubles. Knead the dough again and allow for second rise. Divide the dough into two circles. Steam or boil spinach,squeeze out the excess water,add ricotta cheese,seasonings, all masalas,egg yolk,bread crumbs and mix well. Place the mixture as shown in the picture and follow rest of the steps. At last give an egg wash. Bake in a preheated oven at 350F for 30 minutes or until brown. 

Traditionally only spinach and cheese filling is used,but being an indian adding some masalas is my birth right!!

Enjoy!!







8 comments:

  1. It looks yummy,but can u give me a replacement of eggs .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks ritu....egg is used for binding,but you can omit it as cheese in itself will help in binding.

      Delete
    2. HHIIII REMYA THIS IS ANIL (SCHOOLMATE)
      UR COOKING RECIPIES ARE AWESOMEEE!!!!!!
      KEEP IT UP

      Delete
  2. look whose here...thanks darling!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Remya.. This is a yummy one.. I wanna try it.. One question.. U hv said 1 packet of dry yeast.. Dat is how much quantity in grams?

    ReplyDelete

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