Spanakopita Puff Pastry Braid Recipes

PUFF PASTRY SPANAKOPITA BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C / 360F. Prepare your spinach. First, defrost it. Either leave it out to thaw for a few hours at room temperature, or use your microwave's defrost setting for a few minutes. It doesn't need to be warm or completely thawed, you just want to loosen up the blocks of spinach enough to be able to squeeze out moisture. To do this, I like to put all the spinach into a sieve or colander and use a heavy bowl to press down and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
• Place the spinach into a large bowl and set aside.
• Heat a little oil in a frying pan and saute the onion until soft.
• Add the onion into the bowl with the spinach and mix in the feta, cream cheese, lemon juice and mint. Add a little extra cream cheese if needed to bind everything together into a nice creamy filling.
• Time to prepare the braid. There are images of process in the blog post above. Unroll your puff pastry to lay flat on a baking tray lined with baking paper (your pastry may come rolled in baking paper that you can use).
• Use kitchen scissors or a knife to cut slices (just under 1/3rd of the way in) on either side. Scoop your filling (1/2 per braid) in the middle and bring the pastry strips on either side up to cover the filling, allowing them to overlap in the middle.
• Whisk an egg thoroughly in a small bowl and brush over the top of the spanakopita braids.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is crisp and golden.

SPANAKOPITA PUFF PASTRY BRAID

Steps:

• ​Preheat the oven to 400 °F, 200 °C.
• ​Begin by preparing the spinach filling. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, feta, ricotta cheese, dill, salt, pepper, and scallions. Mix well until the spinach is completely coated with the cheeses and all of the ingredients are well incorporated.
• Taste and check for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
• Beat the egg and add to the spinach mixture. Mix well until incorporated and set aside.
• ​
• Lightly dust your work surface with some all-purpose flour. Roll out each sheet of puff pastry to a 12" by 15" rectangle. Place the puff pastry sheet on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• Make an even number of diagonal cuts down each side (approx. 1 inch apart) of the rectangle.
• Divide the spinach filling into 2 portions.
• Spread the spinach and cheese mixture down the center of the prepared puff pastry.
• Fold the diagonal strips of dough in a criss-cross pattern over the filling, forming a braid.
• Press the ends together to seal the top and bottom.
• Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
• Chill in the freezer for 15 minutes or in the refrigerator for 25 minutes.
• Bake in the center rack of the oven until puffed and golden brown. About 30-35 minutes.
• Allow to cool completely before serving.
• Serve with tzaztiki sauce.
• Make ahead tips:
• The puff pastry braid can be assembled, chilled in the freezer until firm then wrapped with parchment paper and foil until ready to bake.
• The frozen (uncooked) braid can be store in the freezer up to 3 weeks.
• When ready to bake, brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar and bake until puffed and golden. About 45-50 minutes.