Samsades with a Twist

Ingredients

• 250g (9 oz) feta cheese, crumbled 250g (9 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
• 200g (7 oz) fresh spinach, chopped 200g (7 oz) fresh spinach, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 12 sheets of phyllo dough 12 sheets of phyllo dough
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 22g (14g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 22g (2g sugars)
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4. 4.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese, cooked spinach, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
5. 5.
   Lay one sheet of phyllo dough on a clean surface and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this process with 5 more sheets, stacking them on top of each other.
6. 6.
   Cut the stacked phyllo dough into 3 equal strips lengthwise.
7. 7.
   Place a spoonful of the filling mixture at the bottom of each strip. Fold the bottom corner of the strip over the filling to form a triangle. Continue folding the strip in a triangle shape until you reach the end.
8. 8.
   Repeat steps 5-7 with the remaining phyllo dough and filling mixture.
9. 9.
   Place the prepared Samsades on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
10. 10.
    Brush the tops of the Samsades with melted butter.
11. 11.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Phyllo dough — Make sure to keep the phyllo dough covered with a damp cloth while working with it to prevent it from drying out.
• Feta cheese — If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use a combination of feta cheese and mozzarella cheese.

Tips & Tricks

• To add a touch of sweetness, sprinkle some sesame seeds on top of the Samsades before baking.
• Serve the Samsades with a side of tzatziki sauce for a refreshing contrast.
• Experiment with different fillings such as ground meat, mushrooms, or roasted vegetables.
• If you're short on time, you can use store-bought phyllo dough instead of making it from scratch.
• For a crispier texture, brush the phyllo dough with melted butter between each layer.

Serving advice

Serve the Samsades warm as an appetizer or snack. They can also be enjoyed as a light lunch or dinner when paired with a fresh salad.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Samsades on a platter in a decorative pattern, garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or dill. Serve them alongside a bowl of tzatziki sauce for dipping.