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By Emily Eileen Carter

So, maybe that Mediterranean Spring Break cruise wasn’t in the cards this year.  However, you can whip together a delicious Greek dish for your family, and it is much easier than you think.  Spanakopita, a Greek staple, is known for its flaky crust and savory feta flavor mixed with spinach.

However, for some people, working with phyllo dough can be intimidating.  I was determined to overcome my own fear.  Actually, I found that it was super easy.  Just purchase your dough in the bread part of the freezer section at your local grocery and be sure to thaw it out two hours ahead of making this dish.  Layering this like lasagna is the easiest way to make this dish instead of the more traditional method.

Emily’s Easy Spanakopita

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 TBLS of refrigerated pre-chopped garlic
• 2 bags of store bought spinach, rinsed and chopped
• 1 TSP dried parsley
• 1 TSP dried oregano
• 1 TSP dried cumin
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 8 sheets phyllo dough, thawed
• 1/2 cup melted butter

Directions

1)    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2)     Lightly oil a 9×9 inch square baking pan.

3)    Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

4)    Sauté onion and garlic, until soft and lightly browned.

5)    Stir in spinach and parsley, oregano and cumin and continue to sauté until spinach is limp, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

6)    In a medium bowl, mix together egg, parmesan and feta. Stir in spinach mixture.

7)    Layer 2 sheets of phyllo dough in prepared baking pan, and brush lightly with butter. Spread 1/3 spinach and cheese mixture. Layer another 2 sheets of phyllo dough on top, brush with butter, and repeat process with spinach and dough two more times.

8)    Finish by brushing the top layer of phyllo dough with butter.

9)    Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Cut into squares and serve while hot.