SPANAKOPITA

So Spanakopita is actually called a Greek Pie, but so comforting. Spanakopita is a spinach and feta pie with layers and layers of crispy phyllo. You can of course make your own phyllo dough if you’re terribly fancy (or authentic), but I keep packs in my freezer for Spanakopita emergencies. This is a crowd pleaser!

(1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

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(2) Squeeze water out of frozen spinach. Combine spinach with onions, feta cheese, herbs, pepper, eggs, and olive oil.

(3) Brush a 9×13 pan with olive oil. Use half the pack of phyllo on the bottom of the dish, carefully brushing each sheet with olive oil using a pastry brush. (note: it’s better to have it slightly bunched in the middle than have phyllo go up the sides.) Spread spinach filling evenly on top of phyllo. Top with remaining half package of phyllo, again gently brushing each sheet with olive oil.

(4) Bake at 400 for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Ingredients

1 lb phyllo, thawed

3 packages frozen spinach, thawed

2 bunches green onions

2 cups feta cheese

1.5 cups Italian parsley

1/2 cup fresh dill

1/4 cup fresh mint

1/4 cup oregano

Pepper

2 large eggs, beaten

1/4 cup olive oil

+ more for phyllo

This is a pretty easy dish to bake. You basically stir the spinach mixture together in one bowl, then build the dish by brushing olive oil on each sheet of phyllo. I find it quite therapeutic—especially if I’m drinking wine!

Ingredients

1 cup heavy whipping cream

8 oz mascarpone cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1.5 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup espresso or strong coffee, cooled

24-28 Ladyfingers

2 Tbsp dark cocoa powder

Whatever you do, don’t soak the ladyfingers. Quickly dip each ladyfinger cookie one at a time in espresso or strong coffee. You don’t want them to be soggy. Dip, flip, set in pan.

Can you add alcohol?

Sure. I am a purist when it comes to tiramisu because it irritates me how much alcohol American restaurants pump into this classical coffee dessert. Having said that, you could easily put some Kahlua or amaretto in with the coffee or the cream if you’d like!