"Greek Beet and Beet Greens Pie", often referred to as "Spanakopita me Prasa", is a delectable Greek dish that combines the earthy flavors of beets and their greens with a creamy filling wrapped in layers of crispy phyllo dough. This savory pie is a testament to the culinary heritage of Greece, where fresh produce and aromatic herbs are celebrated. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the process of crafting the perfect "Greek Beet and Beet Greens Pie", ensuring a delightful culinary experience that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Greece.
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GREEK BEET AND BEET GREENS PIE
I've made lots of Greek vegetable pies in phyllo pastry using beet greens, but I had not included the beets. This will now be a regular dish I make with beets in my house. This savory pie, seasoned with mint, parsley and dill, is beautiful, filling and easy to assemble. If you are gluten-free and can't use phyllo, you can make this as a crustless gratin.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h40m
Yield Serves 6 to 8
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Roast beets as directed and allow to cool. Slip off skins and slice in rounds.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and add beet greens. Blanch 1 minute, remove from water with a skimmer and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Drain and squeeze out excess water, taking greens up by the handful. Chop coarsely.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, 5 to 8 minutes, and add garlic and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and stir in blanched greens and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until ingredients are mixed and remove from heat.
- Whisk eggs in a large bowl and crumble in feta. Whisk together, then stir in greens and beets. Add chopped fresh parsley, mint and dill. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Combine butter and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a microwave-safe cup or bowl or in a small saucepan, and heat gently (50 percent power if using microwave) until butter has melted. Lightly brush a 10-inch straight-sided tart pan or cake pan, either ceramic or metal, with butter/oil mix.
- Lay a sheet of phyllo in the pan, tucking it into the seam, with edges overhanging the rim. Brush phyllo lightly with butter/oil mix and turn the pan slightly, then place another sheet on top, positioning it so the edges overlap another section of the pan's rim. Continue to layer in 5 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each one with butter and oil and staggering them so the overhang on the rim of the pan is evenly distributed and covers entire pan.
- Fill lined pan with beet and greens mix, scraping every last bit into the pan with a spatula, then fold overhanging phyllo edges in over the filling, brushing each one lightly with butter/oil mix. Layer remaining 5 sheets of dough over filling, brushing each sheet with butter and olive oil and rotating pan slightly after each addition. Crimp edges down into the sides of the pan. Brush top with butter and oil. Pierce top of pie in several places with a sharp knife. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until top is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. Recrisp crust in a low oven for 10 to 20 minutes if necessary before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 273, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 28 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 491 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams
GREEK-STYLE DINNER PIE WITH LEFTOVER GREENS
Leftovers often die an ignoble death in the back of the refrigerator, a waste of money and time. They can, however, be an opportunity to improvise, even to elevate. Here, some leftover cooked greens are combined with raw ones in a show-stopping Greek-style treatment that uses boxed phyllo dough to its best advantages. Pie for dinner!
Provided by Andrew Scrivani
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add the onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt and the garlic, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- If using raw greens, add, stirring until wilted, 2 to 4 minutes depending on which greens are used. If using cooked greens, add, stirring just until heated. Add parsley and dill, and season with salt and pepper to taste
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brush a 10-inch tart or pie pan with oil. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the feta and the greens mixture, and stir to combine.
- Spread a sheet of phyllo across the pan, so that the edges of it drape evenly over the pan. Gently fit the center of it into the base of the pan. Quickly and lightly, brush the phyllo with butter. Repeat with seven more sheets of phyllo, stacking them one on top of the other so that they form an asterisk pattern.
- Fill with the greens mixture, and fold the draped edges over to enclose the filling. Top with the remaining four sheets of phyllo, buttering each one, and again stacking in an asterisk pattern. Fold the edges under so that the dough extends about an inch beyond the rim of the pan, and then tuck the dough slightly into the pan, while rolling and twisting the edge under to shape a crust. Using a sharp knife, make several slashes through the top of the pie into the filling to allow steam to escape as the pie bakes.
- Bake the pie until the crust is crisp and golden brown, about 50 minutes. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature. For a crispy crust, this is best served the same day baked.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 255, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 16 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 352 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams
GREEK GREENS PIE
This is a sort of rustic version of Spanikopita or Greek Spinach Pie. It can be made with spinach or any green you like, or even a combination. Instead of a phyllo dough crust, the crust is made from corn meal and akin to polenta.
Provided by threeovens
Categories Greens
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- If using spinach, it needs to be steamed 1 to 2 minutes to wilt; chard or beet greens need to steam 3 to 4 minutes to wilt.
- Transfer wilted greens to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking; squeeze out as much moisture as you can.
- Chop and set aside in a large bowl.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat and cook the onion, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes; add green onions and cook another minute.
- Stir in the greens and chopped herbs; season with salt and pepper and toss well.
- Stir in the feta cheese.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F; oil a 10 inch round baking dish or cake pan.
- In a medium saucepan, bring milk and 1/2 cup water to a simmer, over medium heat; add salt and slowly stream in the cornmeal while stirring with a whisk or wooden spoon to prevent clumping.
- Continue to stir until the mixture thickens like polenta.
- Remove from heat and spread half the mixture in your prepared pan in a thin, even layer; spread the greens over the cornmeal in another even layer.
- Dilute the remaining cornmeal with water until it resembles wet sand then stir in the remaining oil; spoon over the greens and smooth into an even layer (don't worry if it doesn't completely cover the greens).
- Bake until the top is browned, about 45 minutes to an hour.
- Remove and let sit for 30 minutes before cutting to allow the crusts to set up.
- NOTE: You can make this several hours before serving and heat in a slow oven. It is also good at room temperature. It will keep, refrigerated, 3 days.
ROASTED BEETS AND SAUTEED BEET GREENS
This is a great way to use every part of the fresh beets you buy. You can get two delicious side dishes out of this one vegetable.
Provided by BN61079
Categories Vegetable Side Dishes
Time 1h10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (175 degrees C). Wash the beets thoroughly, leaving the skins on, and remove the greens. Rinse greens, removing any large stems, and set aside. Place the beets in a small baking dish or roasting pan, and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. If you wish to peel the beets, it is easier to do so once they have been roasted.
- Cover, and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a knife can slide easily through the largest beet.
- When the roasted beets are almost done, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and onion, and cook for a minute. Tear the beet greens into 2 to 3 inch pieces, and add them to the skillet. Cook and stir until greens are wilted and tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the greens as is, and the roasted beets sliced with either red-wine vinegar, or butter and salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 203.9 calories, Carbohydrate 18 g, Fat 13.9 g, Fiber 8.9 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 442.3 mg, Sugar 8 g
Tips:
- Use fresh beets and beet greens. This will ensure the best flavor and texture for your pie.
- Trim the beet greens and wash them thoroughly. Be sure to remove any tough stems.
- Grate the beets or slice them thinly. This will help them cook evenly.
- Sauté the beet greens in olive oil until they are wilted. This will help to bring out their flavor.
- Use a combination of feta cheese and ricotta cheese in the filling. This will give the pie a rich and creamy flavor.
- Bake the pie at a high temperature for the first 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature and continue baking until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set.
- Allow the pie to cool slightly before slicing and serving. This will help to prevent the filling from falling out.
Conclusion:
Greek beet and beet greens pie is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its vibrant colors and unique flavor, this pie is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, give Greek beet and beet greens pie a try. You won't be disappointed!
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