Spinach pie with cottage cheese and cream cheese
Spinach, cheese, and cream pie: a delicious and comforting recipe
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 50-55 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Recently, spinach, cheese, and cream pie has become one of my family's favorites. It is a simple yet flavorful recipe, perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner. This pie is not only a culinary delight but also an excellent way to incorporate vegetables into our diet, even for those who are less fond of them. I will share with you all the necessary details to make a perfect pie, rich in cheese and with a spinach filling that will win over even the most reluctant eaters.
A brief history of cheese pies
Cheese pies are an ancient culinary tradition found in various forms across many cultures. Whether baked or fried, filled with vegetables or meat, pies bring together simple ingredients to create delicious dishes. In our case, the combination of spinach and cheese is not only tasty but also very nutritious, being rich in vitamins and minerals.
Necessary ingredients
For the dough:
- 200 g flour
- 3 g dry yeast
- 100 ml warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- a pinch of salt
For the filling:
- 250 g frozen spinach
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 green onion
- 1 garlic clove
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 200 g cream cheese
- 300 g cheese
- 3 eggs
Step by step for a perfect result
*Preparing the dough*
1. Start by sifting the flour into a large bowl. This step will help aerate the flour and make the dough fluffier.
2. Add the salt and dry yeast, mixing well with a spoon.
3. Gradually pour in the warm water, stirring continuously until the ingredients begin to combine. It is important to use warm water to activate the yeast.
4. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. Finally, add the oil and knead for another 1-2 minutes.
5. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 30-35 minutes. During this time, the dough will rise and become fluffier.
*Preparing the filling*
1. Thaw the spinach and chop it finely. It is important to drain it well to avoid making the pie soggy.
2. Clean the green onion and slice it into rounds. Cut the garlic clove in half.
3. In a pan, heat the oil and add the green onion and garlic. Sauté them over medium heat for 1 minute until they become slightly translucent.
4. Add the chopped spinach to the pan and sauté everything for 5-6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Once the spinach is cooked, remove the garlic from the pan and let the mixture cool slightly.
6. In a separate bowl, mix the cheese with the cream cheese. Add the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition. This step will make the mixture creamier and fluffier.
7. Add the slightly cooled spinach mixture to the cheese bowl and mix everything with a spatula. Make sure the filling is well seasoned with salt and pepper.
*Assembling the pie*
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (medium temperature).
2. Line a round baking pan with a diameter of 24 cm with parchment paper.
3. Sprinkle flour on the work surface and turn the risen dough out. Roll it out into a thin sheet, large enough to cover the bottom and sides of the pan. The dough sheet should be slightly raised on the edges.
4. Trim any excess dough and prick the bottom with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
5. Carefully pour the cheese and spinach filling over the dough, leveling it evenly.
*Baking the pie*
1. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the pie for 50-55 minutes, or until it becomes golden and shiny on top.
2. When done, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool slightly. This step is important to allow the filling to set before cutting.
*Serving and variations*
The pie can be served warm or at room temperature, making it perfect for both a family meal and for taking on the go. It is delicious accompanied by a fresh tomato salad or a yogurt garlic sauce. You can experiment with various cheeses or vegetables, adding, for example, dill or bell peppers for an extra flavor boost.
Useful tips
- If you don't have dry yeast, you can use fresh yeast, being careful to adjust the amount (about 10 g of fresh yeast for 3 g of dry yeast).
- You can replace spinach with other vegetables, such as zucchini or leeks, to create a varied pie.
- Make sure the cheese is well drained to avoid a soggy filling.
Nutritional information
This pie is an excellent source of protein due to the cheese and eggs. Spinach provides an important intake of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron. A serving of pie has about 300-350 calories, depending on the serving size and ingredients used.
I hope this spinach, cheese, and cream pie recipe will become a favorite in your kitchen, just as it has in mine. Cooking is an art, and each recipe is an opportunity to experiment and create delicious memories with loved ones. Enjoy your meal!
Ingredients: For the dough: 200 g flour, 3 g dry yeast, 100 ml water, 2 tablespoons oil, salt. For the filling: 250 g frozen spinach, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 green onion, 1 clove of garlic, salt, pepper, 200 g cream cheese, 300 g ricotta, 3 eggs.
