Spring pie with spinach
Spring Spinach Pie
Every spring, when nature dresses in its fresh green coat, we crave light and healthy dishes, and spinach pie is certainly a symbol of this vibrant season. Let's embark on a culinary adventure filled with flavors and textures, where each bite brings us closer to the charm of spring.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 60 minutes
Total time: 90 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 400 g flour
- 2 eggs
- 10 tablespoons oil
- 10 tablespoons warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 1 kg fresh spinach
- 2 bunches green onions
- 520 g goat cheese
- 6 eggs
- 4 tablespoons sour cream
- 27 g butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Preparing the dough
1. Kneading: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add eggs, oil, and warm water. Use a mixer with paddles to mix the ingredients or knead by hand until you obtain an elastic dough. It should be smooth and not stick to the bowls.
2. Resting the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step is essential as it helps the gluten relax, making the dough easier to roll out.
Preparing the filling
1. Preparing the spinach: Wash the spinach well under cold running water. Remove the tough stems and cut it into strips. In a bowl, sprinkle a little salt over the spinach and gently knead it with your hand. This will help draw out the water from the spinach, making the filling less watery.
2. Sautéing the onions: Finely chop the green onions and sauté them in a pan with a little oil or butter until they become soft and translucent. This step adds a sweet and delicious flavor to your filling.
3. Mixing the ingredients: In another bowl, crumble the goat cheese. Add the drained spinach, sautéed onions, eggs, and sour cream. Mix well to combine all the ingredients. Taste the mixture and adjust with salt and pepper to your liking.
Assembling the pie
1. Rolling out the dough: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface until you obtain a thin sheet of about 5 mm. Try to achieve a round shape that fits the pie dish you have.
2. Lining the dish: Place the dough sheet in the round dish, allowing the edges to hang over the sides. This detail will add a rustic look to your pie.
3. Filling: Pour the spinach and cheese mixture over the dough in the dish, smoothing it out evenly. Then, push the edges of the dough inward to cover the filling. This step not only gives a nice appearance but also helps keep the filling inside.
4. Adding the butter: Cut the butter into small cubes and place them on top of the filling. The butter will melt during baking, adding a rich flavor to this dish.
Baking
1. Preheating the oven: Preheat the oven to 180 °C. This will ensure even baking.
2. Baking the pie: Place the dish in the preheated oven and let it bake for about 60 minutes or until the dough becomes golden and crispy. You can check the pie using a toothpick; it should come out clean.
Serving
The spring spinach pie is delicious both warm and cold. You can serve it plain or with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top for an extra creaminess. This pie can be a perfect main course, but it is also suitable as an appetizer at a party. It pairs excellently with a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade or a refreshing blonde beer.
Useful tips
- Ingredient variations: You can experiment with other greens, such as nettles or sorrel, to give a different twist to the filling. You can also replace goat cheese with feta cheese for a stronger flavor.
- Storage: The pie keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Nutritional benefits: Spinach is rich in vitamins A and K, iron, and antioxidants, making this pie a healthy choice. Whole wheat flour can be a healthy alternative for the dough, and sour cream can be replaced with Greek yogurt for a lower fat content.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes, frozen spinach is an excellent option. Make sure to thaw and squeeze it well to remove excess water.
2. How can I make the dough less elastic?
If the dough is too elastic, try adding a little extra flour or letting it rest longer.
3. Is the pie suitable for vegans?
You can adapt the recipe using tofu instead of cheese and eggs, and for the dough, use vegetable oil instead of butter.
This spring spinach pie is not just a delicious dish but also a perfect way to celebrate the green season, full of freshness. Let's enjoy the tastes and aromas of spring by savoring a slice of this delicious pie!
Ingredients: Dough: 400 g flour, 2 eggs, 10 tbsp oil, 10 tbsp warm water, 1 tsp salt. Filling: 1 kg spinach, 2 bunches green onions, 520 g goat cheese, 6 eggs, 4 tbsp sour cream, 27 g butter, salt, pepper.
