Tasty Tuesday: Spinach Pie

If you find yourself in attendance at any of my family parties, I can all but guarantee that this dish will be featured on the menu.  It's been a staple since my mother was my age.  It's a wonderful take on Spinakopita and while I haven't mastered the speed in which my mother completes it, the flavors are all there and OH. MY. GOD.  Your tastebuds die from ecstasy.

This, too, is from the Moosewood cookbook, which if haven't already picked up, you probably should.  Here, this might help.  While it may be known by other names or more official titles, in my family, it's simply known as "Peggy's Spinach Pie."

2 cups feta cheese

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 tsp oregano

5 eggs

1 lb ricotta cheese

2 lbs spinach

2 tbsp flour

1 tsp basil

1 pkg Phyllo dough

1 lb margarine or butter

1. Cook and drain spinach.  Sautee onions in 2 tbsp butter.  Mix spinach, onions, cheeses, eggs, spices.

2. Melt butter and brush bottom of 11 x 18 baking pan.

3. Carefully spread 8 layers of phyllo dough (brushing each layer with margarine/butter).  Spread half of the spinach mixture on top of the phyllo gough.  

4. Add another 8 layers (brushing each layer with butter/margarine), then top with remaining spinach mix.  

5. Top with another 8 layers of phyllo dough (once again, brushing each layer with butter/margarine), making sure the top layer is thoroughly coated as well.

6. Bake at 375F for 45 minutes.

This works GREAT as a make-ahead meal.  You can make it the night before and just bake it right before you need it.  Soooo good.  It's flaky, it's buttery, it's cheesy, and good golly the spinach and onions taste so amazing.  I'm not a big onion fan, but you can't even taste them, all you get is flavor and you can't help but close your eyes and just savor.  It's that good.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: What's your favorite make-ahead meal?  OR What's a dish that seems to be served at all of your family events?  

**I keep meaning to get a picture of this delicious display of wonder but it's usually cut into and served by the time I remember.  I promise to upload one as soon as the next family party rolls around.  We have them often, so it shouldn't be long**