Lebanese spinach pies, also known as fatayer, are a delicious and savory treat that combines the vibrant flavors of fresh spinach with aromatic spices. These little pockets are packed with a flavorful filling of spinach, onions, sumac, and a hint of lemon juice, making each bite a burst of taste. The dough is soft and fluffy, perfectly complementing the savory filling inside. These pies can be enjoyed hot out of the oven or served at room temperature, making them versatile enough for any occasion. Whether as a main dish or appetizer, fatayer is a crowd-pleasing dish that brings comfort and joy to the table. The combination of fresh ingredients and simple preparation creates a truly satisfying meal.
You can use either fresh or frozen spinach for the filling. If you choose frozen spinach, make sure to thaw it and squeeze out any excess water. Leaving liquid in the spinach can cause your pies to open while baking. On the other hand, if you use fresh spinach, it’s best to wash and dry it thoroughly before chopping.
For the dough, I always rely on my quick dough recipe for making pies, but feel free to use your favorite dough recipe instead. Alternatively, you can also use puff pastry for a different texture and flavor.
Recipe summary
Flavor Profile:
The flavor of middle eastern spinach pies is a mix of savory and tangy. The spinach tastes fresh and mild, while the onion adds a bit of sweetness. The sumac gives a tangy kick, and the lemon juice adds brightness. Olive oil makes the filling smooth and rich.
Cooking Technique:
-preparing the dough and the filling.
-Making the spinach pies.
-Bake until they turn golden brown and puff up.
Prep time: 1 hour
Cooking time: 20 minutes
spinach pies filling ingredients
Fresh spinach: Fresh spinach is the key ingredient in the filling. It provides a mild, slightly earthy flavor that is complemented by the tangy spices and makes the filling vibrant and nutritious.
Onion: The onion adds a savory base, offering a subtle sweetness when cooked. It enhances the spinach’s flavor and gives the filling depth and richness.
Sumac: Sumac is a tangy spice that adds a lemony, slightly sour flavor. It brightens the filling and gives the spinach pies a distinct, refreshing taste.
Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds a fresh, zesty note to the filling. It enhances the other flavors, cutting through the richness of the olive oil and adding balance to the savory ingredients.
Olive oil: Olive oil provides richness and smoothness to the filling. It helps bring the ingredients together, enhancing the overall flavor with its fruity and slightly peppery taste.
Salt: Salt brings out the natural flavors of the spinach and onions, balancing the seasoning. It’s a necessary ingredient to ensure the filling isn’t bland and has the right amount of depth.
Black pepper: Black pepper adds a mild heat and aromatic flavor, complementing the salt and sumac. It rounds out the filling, adding just the right amount of warmth.
spinach pies dough ingredients
Flour: The foundation of the dough, flour gives structure and texture. It provides the necessary elasticity, making the dough soft and easy to work with as it rises.
Warm water: Warm water activates the yeast, helping the dough rise. It’s important to use water that’s not too hot, as it ensures the yeast ferments properly, giving the dough a light, airy texture.
Oil: Oil adds moisture and tenderness to the dough. It helps keep the dough soft, making it easier to roll out and ensuring the final product isn’t too dry.
Yeast: Yeast is essential for making the dough rise. It ferments, creating air pockets in the dough, which gives the fatayer its light and fluffy texture.
Sugar: Sugar provides food for the yeast, helping it activate and rise. It also adds a slight sweetness to balance out the savory filling.
How to make Middle eastern spinach pies
Step 1: Make the Dough
Start by mixing the ingredients to form the dough. Allow it to rest for a few minutes to rise, which will help develop a soft, elastic texture. After that, knead the dough until it becomes smooth and easy to handle.
Step 2: Make the Filling
Next, prepare the filling. Wash and chop the spinach, then combine it with the other ingredients in a bowl. Mix everything together until well combined, making sure the flavors are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Roll the Dough
Once your dough is ready, roll it out on a flat surface. This will help you create even circles. Be sure to flour the surface to prevent sticking, and roll the dough thin enough to work with easily.
Step 4: Fill and Shape
Now, take each circle of dough and add a generous amount of the spinach filling. Fold the dough over the filling, shaping it into small pockets. Press the edges together to seal them, ensuring no filling leaks out during baking.
Step 5: Bake
After shaping the pies, arrange them on a baking sheet and place them in a preheated oven. Bake until they turn golden brown and puff up, which should take just a few minutes.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Finally, remove the pies from the oven and brush them with a bit of oil for extra flavor and shine. Serve them warm or at room temperature for a delicious treat.
How to store spinach pies
1. Cooling: Allow the pies to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make them soggy.
2. Refrigeration: If you plan to eat the pies within a few days, store them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about 3-4 days.
3. Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the spinach pies. First, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Then, transfer the frozen pies to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Label the bag with the date. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
4. Reheating: To reheat refrigerated or frozen spinach pies, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until they are heated through. For frozen pies, you may need to bake them for 15-20 minutes.
By following these storage tips, your spinach pies will stay delicious and fresh!
Frequently Asked Questions For Middle eastern spinach pies
1. Can I freeze spinach pies?
Absolutely! Spinach pies freeze very well. After baking, allow them to cool completely. Then, place the pies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container for long-term storage. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
2. How do I reheat spinach pies?
To reheat refrigerated spinach pies, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake them for 10-15 minutes until they’re heated through. If you’re reheating frozen pies, simply bake them at the same temperature for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re piping hot and crispy again.
3. Can I use frozen spinach for the filling?
Yes, frozen spinach can work just as well as fresh spinach. Be sure to thaw it first and squeeze out any excess water. This will prevent the filling from becoming too watery, ensuring a crisp and flavorful result.
4. How can I make the dough extra soft?
To achieve a soft and tender dough, knead it thoroughly until smooth and elastic. Additionally, allow the dough to rise properly, giving it time to become light and airy, also you can add milk instead of water.
5. What can I serve with spinach pies?
Spinach pies are delicious on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a side of creamy yogurt, a fresh salad, or a warm bowl of soup. These options complement the savory filling and make for a complete meal.
6. Can I add other vegetables to the filling?
Definitely! You can enhance the flavor by adding vegetables such as tomatoes, or even a bit of feta cheese. Just remember to adjust the seasoning to match the new ingredients.
Tips And Tricks
1. Use Fresh Spinach for Better Flavor and Texture: Fresh spinach provides a vibrant taste and texture to the filling. If you choose frozen spinach, make sure to squeeze out any excess moisture to avoid a soggy filling.
2. Allow the Dough to Rest: After kneading, it’s essential to let the dough rest. This step helps the dough become more elastic, making it easier to roll out and shape into small, even circles.
3. Use a Round Cutter for Consistency: To ensure uniformity in shape and size, use a round cutter or a glass with a wide rim. This not only saves time but also gives your pies a neat, professional look.
4. Seal the Edges Properly: To prevent the filling from spilling out during baking, be sure to seal the edges tightly.
5. Bake at a High Temperature: Baking the pies at a high temperature is crucial for achieving a crispy, golden exterior while keeping the filling soft and flavourful.
6. Brush with Olive Oil After Baking: Once the pies are done baking, brush them with a little olive oil for extra flavor and a glossy finish. This will also help keep the pies from drying out.
7. Serve at Room Temperature: Although spinach pies are delicious when hot, they also taste great at room temperature.
8. Store Leftovers Properly: If you have any leftover pies, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days, and you can easily reheat them in the oven or microwave.
9. Customize Your Filling: Feel free to get creative with the filling! You can add ingredients like feta cheese.
Links for things used in this recipe
stainless steer large baking sheet
More Middle Eastern recipes
Middle eastern spinach pies
Ingredients
filling:
- 300 g fresh spinach
- 1 small chopped onion
- 3 tbsp sumac
- 2 tbsp lemon juice or squeeze half a lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt adjust to your liking
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
dough:
- 5 cups flour
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp instant yeast
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- 1.Start by making the dough. Mix warm water, 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it doubles in size.
- 2.Add the remaining flour and oil to the mixture, then knead until you get a soft dough. Cover and rest while preparing for the filling.
- 3.Wash the spinach and dry it thoroughly, or you can use store-bought pre-washed spinach.
- 4.Chop the spinach and onion, then mix them with olive oil, sumac, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
- 5.On a clean, flat surface, place the dough and cut it in half.
- 6.Cover the other half for later use, then sprinkle flour and roll out the remaining half.
- 7.Use a round cutter to cut the dough into small circles. I used a 9-inch cutter roller for its speed, cutting the whole thing in seconds.
- 8.Fill each circle with a generous amount of spinach mixture.
- 9.Bake in a preheated oven at 450°F until golden, which typically takes about 8 to 10 minutes.
- 10.Take them out and brush with oil, then place them on a cooling rack.
YUMMMM
thank you !