Spanakopita Kourou: 2 Ways!

Ingredients

• For the Kourou dough:
•  4 cups all-purpose flour
•  1 cup olive oil
•  1 cup Greek Yogurt (strained yogurt) or sour cream
•  1 egg
•  1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
•  1/2 teaspoon sugar
•  1/2 teaspoon salt
• For the filling:
• • 1-pound baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped
• • 6 scallions, finely sliced
• • 3 teaspoons dried dill
• • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• • 1-pound feta cheese, crumbled
• • 3 eggs
• • 1/3 cup olive oil
• • 1/2 teaspoon salt
• • Black pepper to taste
• Eggwash: 2 egg yolks with 3-4 tablespoons of milk/water

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the kourou dough:

2. 2

   Note: Make a double batch to use up...: Note: Make a double batch to use up all of the spinach filling.

3. 3

   Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a...: Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl and whisk together.

4. 4

   Combine the olive oil, yogurt, egg, and lemon...: Combine the olive oil, yogurt, egg, and lemon juice together in a large bowl and whisk together until smooth. The mixture will look curdled but, that’s ok!!

5. 5

   Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet...: Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and whisk to combine. Once the mixture becomes too thick to use the whisk, switch to your hands, and knead it until a dough comes together.

6. 6

   Cover with plastic or with a kitchen towel...: Cover with plastic or with a kitchen towel and set aside at room temperature to rest for 30 minutes.

7. 7

   Make the filling:

8. 8

   Combine the feta cheese, ricotta, eggs, oil, salt,...: Combine the feta cheese, ricotta, eggs, oil, salt, pepper, and dill in a tabletop mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until combined.

9. 9

   Add the scallions and beat until combined.

10. 10

    While the mixer is running on low add...: While the mixer is running on low add a handful of chopped spinach at a time until all of the spinach is incorporated.

11. 11

    Mix everything together with a spatula and set...: Mix everything together with a spatula and set aside.

12. 12

    Preheat the oven to 400 °F, 200 °C.

13. 13

    Lightly grease your work surface with olive oil....: Lightly grease your work surface with olive oil. This will help the pastry roll out very easily.

14. 14

    Cut the dough into two equal portions. Cut...: Cut the dough into two equal portions. Cut each portion into 8 pieces.

15. 15

    Roll each portion out into a ball.

16. 16

    Gently roll out each ball into a 5-inch...: Gently roll out each ball into a 5-inch round circle. You can do this using your fingertips to press the dough gently out into a circle. Use a rolling pin if you prefer doing it that way but do not add any flour to the dough otherwise, it will become dry and tough.

17. 17

    Place a tablespoon full of the filling onto...: Place a tablespoon full of the filling onto the rolled-out circles.

18. 18

    Add some crumbled feta or your favorite cheese,...: Add some crumbled feta or your favorite cheese, if desired.

19. 19

    Fold over to cover the filling.

20. 20

    Gently press the edges together to seal.

21. 21

    Place the pies onto the prepared baking pan....: Place the pies onto the prepared baking pan. 8 on each tray.

22. 22

    Use a fork to press down the edges...: Use a fork to press down the edges to create a decorative design.

23. 23

    Brush the tops of the pies with the...: Brush the tops of the pies with the egg wash

24. 24

    Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden.

25. 25

    Halfway through baking, rotate the trays. Place the...: Halfway through baking, rotate the trays. Place the bottom tray on the top rack and the top tray on the bottom for even baking.

26. 26

    Serve warm. Enjoy!