Bribirski Prisnac - Croatian Cheese and Spinach Pie

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) cow's milk cheese, crumbled 500g (4 cups) cow's milk cheese, crumbled
• 250g (2 cups) cottage cheese 250g (2 cups) cottage cheese
• 300g (10.5 oz) fresh spinach, chopped 300g (10.5 oz) fresh spinach, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
• 6 sheets of filo pastry 6 sheets of filo pastry
• 100g (7 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted 100g (7 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 2g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the crumbled cow's milk cheese, cottage cheese, chopped spinach, minced garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. 3.
   Brush a baking dish with melted butter.
4. 4.
   Layer 3 sheets of filo pastry in the baking dish, brushing each sheet with melted butter before adding the next.
5. 5.
   Spread half of the cheese and spinach filling over the filo pastry.
6. 6.
   Repeat the layering process with the remaining 3 sheets of filo pastry and the remaining filling.
7. 7.
   Fold the excess filo pastry over the top to create a rustic crust.
8. 8.
   Brush the top with melted butter.
9. 9.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is set.
10. 10.
    Allow the Bribirski Prisnac to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Spinach — Make sure to thoroughly wash the spinach leaves and remove any tough stems before chopping.
• Filo pastry — Keep the filo pastry sheets covered with a damp cloth while working with them to prevent them from drying out.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a more pronounced garlic flavor, you can increase the number of garlic cloves.
• For a richer taste, you can add a small amount of crumbled feta cheese to the filling.
• If you don't have access to fresh spinach, you can use frozen spinach that has been thawed and drained.
• Serve the Bribirski Prisnac warm or at room temperature for the best flavor.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.

Serving advice

Serve the Bribirski Prisnac as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. It can also be enjoyed as a side dish alongside grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or dill over the top of the Bribirski Prisnac before serving. This adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish.