Have you ever had one of those moments where you just crave a bit of Mediterranean sunshine on your plate, even if the British weather refuses to cooperate? Today, I want to share with you a recipe that’s sure to whisk you away to the sunny shores of Greece, right from the comfort of your home. I’m talking about Spanakopita Rolls with Homemade Tzatziki.
Spanakopita, if you’re not familiar, is a delightful Greek pastry filled with a savory mixture of spinach and feta cheese. Normally, it’s made in a large pie form, but I thought – why not shake things up a bit and create easy-to-eat rolls instead? These Spanakopita Rolls are perfect as an appetizer, a light lunch, or even a snack. And what better to accompany them than a cool, tangy Tzatziki sauce?
Now, my love for Greek food started quite a few years back. I remember my first proper Greek meal vividly – it was during a holiday in Santorini with my wife. We sat at a quaint little taverna by the sea, and the food was simply marvelous. The freshness and simplicity of the ingredients, the vibrant flavors, and that warm hospitality left a lasting impression on me.
Back in the UK, I’ve always tried to recreate those flavors in my kitchen. This recipe is one I come back to time and again. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and it never fails to impress. The crispy, flaky filo pastry combined with the creamy, savory spinach and feta filling is a match made in heaven. And the homemade Tzatziki? It’s like the cherry on top – refreshing, garlicky, and the perfect cool contrast to the warm pastry.
Alright, enough reminiscing – let’s get cooking! Here’s everything you’ll need:
**Ingredients:**
* 1 packet of filo pastry (270g)
* 500g fresh spinach leaves, washed and chopped
* 200g feta cheese, crumbled
* 1 large onion, finely chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tbsp olive oil
* 1 tsp dried dill
* 1 tsp dried oregano
* 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
* 500g plain Greek yogurt
* 1 cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tbsp olive oil
* 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
* 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Method:**
**Spanakopita Rolls**
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from heat and allow the spinach mixture to cool for a few minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
6. Add the crumbled feta, dried dill, dried oregano, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the spinach mixture. Mix well to combine.
7. On a clean work surface, lay out one sheet of filo pastry and brush lightly with the beaten egg. Place another sheet on top and brush again with the egg. Repeat until you have 3 layers.
8. Spoon some of the spinach mixture along one short edge of the filo pastry and roll up tightly into a log. Cut the log into 3-4 rolls.
9. Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet and continue with the remaining filo sheets and filling.
10. Brush the tops of the rolls with the remaining beaten egg and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
**Homemade Tzatziki**
1. In a medium bowl, combine the grated cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, chopped dill, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the plain Greek yogurt and mix well to combine all the ingredients.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
**Serving**
1. Serve the warm Spanakopita Rolls with a generous dollop of homemade Tzatziki on the side.
And there you have it – a little taste of Greece to brighten up your day. This dish not only brings back wonderful memories for me but also allows me to share a bit of that Mediterranean magic with my family and friends. I hope you enjoy making (and eating) these Spanakopita Rolls with Homemade Tzatziki as much as I do.
Until next time, happy cooking!
Ingredients
* 1 packet of filo pastry (270g)
* 500g fresh spinach leaves, washed and chopped
* 200g feta cheese, crumbled
* 1 large onion, finely chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tbsp olive oil
* 1 tsp dried dill
* 1 tsp dried oregano
* 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
* 500g plain Greek yogurt
* 1 cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tbsp olive oil
* 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
* 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
* Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Method
Spanakopita Rolls
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the pan from heat and allow the spinach mixture to cool for a few minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Add the crumbled feta, dried dill, dried oregano, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the spinach mixture. Mix well to combine.
- On a clean work surface, lay out one sheet of filo pastry and brush lightly with the beaten egg. Place another sheet on top and brush again with the egg. Repeat until you have 3 layers.
- Spoon some of the spinach mixture along one short edge of the filo pastry and roll up tightly into a log. Cut the log into 3-4 rolls.
- Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet and continue with the remaining filo sheets and filling.
- Brush the tops of the rolls with the remaining beaten egg and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Homemade Tzatziki
- In a medium bowl, combine the grated cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, chopped dill, salt, and pepper.
- Add the plain Greek yogurt and mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serving
- Serve the warm Spanakopita Rolls with a generous dollop of homemade Tzatziki on the side.
