### Chef John’s Spinach and Feta Pie: A Delicious Greek Delight
Chef John's famous spinach and feta pie is a classic dish that combines creamy spinach with crumbly feta cheese in a flaky pastry crust. Here are detailed steps to make this delightful dish, optimized for SEO and easy readability.
#### **Ingredients**:
- 2 cups fresh spinach, washed and chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill (optional)
- For the pastry:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
#### **Instructions**:
##### Step 1: Prepare the Spinach Filling
1. **Wash and Chop**: Rinse spinach thoroughly under running water and chop into small pieces.
2. **Sauté**: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic (if using) and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. **Add Spinach**: Stir in the chopped spinach, season with salt, pepper, and dill if desired. Cook until the spinach wilts and becomes slightly soft, about 2-3 minutes.
##### Step 2: Mix Feta Cheese
1. Once the spinach has cooled down a bit, mix in the crumbled feta cheese.
2. Stir gently to combine. Set aside to cool further before assembling the pie.
##### Step 3: Prepare the Pastry Crust
1. **Mix Dry Ingredients**: In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
2. **Add Butter**: Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. **Add Water**: Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough comes together (you might not need all the water).
4. **Chill**: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
##### Step 4: Assemble the Pie
1. **Roll Out Dough**: On a floured surface, roll out one portion of the chilled pastry to about 1/8-inch thickness.
2. **Line Pie Pan**: Roll the dough into a circle slightly larger than your pie pan and carefully transfer it to the pan. Trim the edges and flute as desired.
##### Step 5: Fill and Bake
1. **Fill Pastry Shell**: Spoon the spinach and feta mixture evenly over the bottom crust.
2. **Top with Eggs**: Beat the remaining egg lightly, brush the edges of the crust, then pour the beaten egg over the filling to create a golden-brown top.
3. **Bake**: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the pie in the oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
##### Step 6: Serve
1. Once done, let it cool slightly before serving.
2. Enjoy your delicious Chef John’s Spinach and Feta Pie!
#### **SEO Tips**:
- Use relevant keywords like "spinach feta pie," "Chef John's recipe," "Greek cuisine."
- Include long-tail keywords such as "classic Greek spinach and feta pie recipe."
- Optimize titles, meta descriptions, and headings with keywords.
- Add images of the ingredients and final dish to enhance visual appeal.
Follow these steps and you'll have a mouthwatering Chef John’s Spinach and Feta Pie ready for your table!