Albanian Spinach Pie Byrek Me Spinaq Or Pite Recipes

SPINACH PIE (BYREK MI SPINAQ)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Combine butter and canola oil in a saucepan and warm over low heat until butter is melted. Stir to combine. Reserve two tablespoons of mixture for the filling.
• For the filling: In a large bowl, combine the spinach, onion, egg, sour cream, yogurt, salt, and the 2 tablespoons of the butter-oil mixture, and mix well. Set aside until needed.
• Use the remaining butter-oil mixture to prepare the phyllo dough. Brush butter-oil mixture onto a baking sheet and lay down 1 sheet of phyllo. Brush more of the butter-oil mixture on top of the phyllo. Continue to layer 9 more sheets with butter-oil. Spread spinach topping evenly over 10th sheet of phyllo. Top spinach with 10 more sheets of phyllo, brushing butter-oil on each layer. Turn up edges of dough and press to seal.
• Bake spinach pie for 45 minutes, until top is golden and risen. Use a knife to check the bottom to make sure it is nice and crispy. Let cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Slice and serve.

ALBANIAN SPINACH PIE (BYREK ME SPINAQ OR PITE)

Steps:

• (NOTE: A round cake or pie pan is recommended because it's more authentic but any similar sized pan will do).
• Brush the pan with some of the oil, and start laying the filo leaves inside. First, lay two leaves, sprinkle or brush with oil, then lay two other leaves, and repeat the procedure until HALF of the leaves are laid. Make sure that they cover the pan by hanging them about one inch over the edges of the pan. Change directions, so that the entire pan is evenly covered.
• Sprinkle spinach with salt, then mix well by hand. Let sit for a minute.
• Add the feta cheese, onions, eggs and stir.
• Spread spinach mixture over the filo leaves in the pan.
• Cover the spinach with the rest of the pastry leaves repeating the first-half procedure.
• Roll the hanging edges of the bottom leaves over the pie (think of a pizza crust), sprinkle top with oil.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve hot.

BYREK SHQIPëTAR ME PERIME (ALBANIAN VEGETABLE PIE)

Steps:

• A medium-sized, round baking pan is recommended because it's more authentic but any medium-sized baking pan will do.
• Brush the baking pan with some of the oil, and start laying the pastry leaves inside. First, lay two leaves, sprinkle or brush with oil, then lay two other leaves, and repeat the procedure until half of the leaves are laid. Make sure that they cover the pan by hanging them about one inch over the edges of the pan.
• Sprinkle spinach with salt, then mix well by hand. Add the feta cheese, oil, onions, eggs and salt, and spread this mixture over the already laid pastry leaves. Finish by covering the spinach with the rest of the pastry leaves repeating the first-half procedure and then roll the hanging edges of the bottom leaves over the pie (think of a pizza crust), sprinkle top with oil and bake moderately at 350°F (175°C) for about 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve hot, accompanied with buttermilk, or beaten yogurt, thinned down in cold water or with chilled stewed prunes. Sometimes a green salad adds to the meal!