Spanakoita

Who doesn't like Greek food? And who wants their family to eat more spinach? Here is my recipe for meatless Monday!

2 bags spinach leaves
1/2 onion minced
2 cloves garlic minced
Juice from half a lemon
2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
1/2 package fillo dough thawed (one roll)
1 cup feta cheese
4 ounces cream cheese softened
1 package mozzarella slices
1 stick butter melted
4 tablespoons olive oil divided
2 eggs
Salt and pepper to taste

Place the stick of butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small sauce pan over low heat. Place 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pan preheated over medium high heat. Add the onions. Roughly chop the spinach leaves and add them to the onions. Let the spinach wilt down. Add the garlic, salt and pepper. Squeeze half a lemon over this. Let this cook a few more minutes then add the dill and parsley. Stir and remove from heat. In a medium mixing bowl beat the two eggs. Add the cream cheese and feta. Mix well. Set this aside. Brush the bottom of a 13x9 inch baking dish with the melted butter and oil mixture. Add the fillo dough one piece at a time brushing each piece with the butter. Once you have done this with half of the dough, stir the spinach into the cheese mixture being sure not to add any liquid that may have cooked out while the sponach was wilting. Spread this on top of the prepared dough. Add the mozzarella cheese slices in a single layer. Now layer the remaining dough in the same fashion being sure to brush every layer with the butter. Gently tuck the sides in with your finger tips. With a sharp knife cut the spanakopita into squares ( this is because once the fillo is cooked it is very hard to cut) place this into a 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve this as your main course or a side dish with fish or lamb. Either way you are going to love this dish. For more on this recipe or any others please email me at alesia.leach@gmail.com