Spanakopita

Ingredients

• 900 g spinach
• 1 large onion
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup scallions
• ½ cup parsley
• 1 tbsp dill
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ¾ cup curd cottage cheese
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• 4 eggs
• 12–20 sheets phyllo pastry
• ⅔ cup clarified butter
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Wash the spinach.
3. Remove large stems.
4. Chop.
5. Place in a steamer over boiling water.
6. Steam for 2 minutes, or until wilted and reduced in volume.
7. Drain, pressing out any liquid with the back of a spoon.
8. Heat the oil in a large skillet.
9. Add the onion.
10. Cook over medium heat until slightly tender.
11. Add the scallions.
12. Cook until limp.
13. Remove from heat.
14. Stir in parsley, dill, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
15. Add the cheeses, spinach, and lemon juice to the skillet.
16. Mix.
17. Add the eggs.
18. Mix again gently.
19. Brush a 9x12-inch baking dish with some of the butter.
20. Lay a sheet of phyllo dough across the bottom of the dish, covering the entire surface and letting the edges fold upward against the sides.
21. Brush with butter.
22. Place another sheet on top.
23. Continue layering the phyllo (brushing each sheet) until the bottom of the dish is covered with about 8 sheets.
24. Place half of the spinach filling on top of the phyllo, smoothing out with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed.
25. Cover the filling with 5–8 phyllo sheets, brushing each layer with butter.
26. Place remaining spinach filling on top.
27. Smooth as above.
28. Cover with 5–8 phyllo sheets, brushing with butter as above.
29. Roll up all overhanging phyllo sheets.
30. Crumble any broken sheet bits on top.
31. Drizzle any remaining clarified butter over top.
32. Place the spanakopita in the oven on a medium rack.
33. Bake for 45 minutes, or until puffed and golden.
34. Let sit for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.