I love trying out new recipes, especially when they involve cheese and spinach. And that’s why I was thrilled when I stumbled upon a recipe for spinach and cheese fatayer. This Middle Eastern pastry is a delicious combination of savory filling and flaky dough, and it’s perfect for a snack or appetizer.
This is a popular dish in Middle Eastern cuisine, and it’s not hard to see why. The filling is made with spinach, feta cheese, and a variety of herbs and spices, which gives it a unique and flavorful taste. The dough is made with a combination of flour, yeast, and olive oil, and it’s rolled out into small circles before being filled with the spinach and cheese mixture. The pastries are then baked until golden brown and served warm.
I had the pleasure of trying spinach and cheese fatayer for the first time at a Lebanese restaurant in Toronto. My friend and I were going over the menu, and I decided to order this dish as an appetizer. After a little while, a young Middle-Eastern waiter brought it to our table.
I was blown away by the combination of flavors and textures. The pastry was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the filling was bursting with fresh herbs and tangy feta cheese. I knew I had to get the recipe.
After dessert, I asked the restaurant chef if he would be willing to share the recipe with me. To my delight, he agreed. Here are the ingredients the recipe contained: for the pastry dough- warm water, yeast, sugar, sea salt, olive oil, flour. For the filling – spinach, salt, lemon juice, scallions, mint, fresh dill, olive oil, sumac powder, za’atar, red pepper flakes, and feta cheese
Accompanied dishes
When it comes to serving this fatayer, many dishes can complement it perfectly. Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve alongside this Middle Eastern pastry:
- Muhammara: This spicy dip made from roasted red peppers, walnuts, and pomegranate molasses is a perfect match for the savory and slightly tangy flavors of these pastries.
- Labneh: This creamy, tangy yogurt cheese is a great accompaniment to fatayer. Its cool and refreshing flavor helps to balance out the richness of the pastry.
- Shakshuka: This hearty tomato and egg dish is a great addition to any Middle Eastern meal, and it pairs particularly well with fatayer. The soft, runny yolks of the eggs complement the creamy filling of the pastry.
- Ful medames: This traditional Egyptian dish made from fava beans, garlic, and lemon juice is a great source of protein and fiber, and it pairs well with the rich flavors of spinach and cheese.
- Moutabal: This smoky eggplant dip is a great addition to any mezze spread, and it pairs particularly well with this dish. Its creamy texture and complex flavor help to balance out the richness of the pastry.
Ingredients:
- Pastry Dough:
- 1 cup of warm water
- 1 tsp of yeast
- 1 tsp of sugar
- 1 tsp of sea salt
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 2¼ cups (plus more for dusting) of all-purpose flour
- Filling:
- 1 8 oz package of fresh baby spinach
- ½ tsp of salt
- 1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
- 6 minced scallions
- 2 tbsp of chopped fresh mint
- 2 tbsp of chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
- 1 tbsp of sumac powder
- 1 tbsp of za’atar
- ½ tsp of crushed red pepper flakes
- ⅔ cup of Feta cheese
How to Make Spinach and Cheese Fatayer?
Preparing the dough:
- Mix sugar, yeast, and warm water and let it sit until the mixture foams up.
- Then, take a mixer bowl, and add olive oil, salt, and the right amount of flour so the dough can form.
- Replace the paddle attachment with a dough hook and mix the dough until it is soft and pliable.
- After that, oil a clean bowl and roll the dough to cover with oil, then cover it with a dish towel and let it rest for 45 minutes.
Preparing the filling:
- Chop spinach and add it to a bowl, then sprinkle it with salt and lemon juice. Stir to combine and microwave it for 1 to 1½ minutes until wilted. Then, drain the spinach to remove excess liquid and gently squeeze out the remaining liquid with the back of a spoon.
- Mix the cooled spinach with the scallions, mint, fresh dill, and the remaining filling ingredients and stir to combine.
Assembling:
- Punch the dough down and divide it into four portions.
- On a floured surface, roll out one portion of dough as thin as possible, while keeping the other portions covered. Use a cup or lid that’s approximately 4″ in diameter to cut round discs.
- Then, fill the disc with one heaping tablespoon of spinach filling and crimp the edges together to form a triangle. repeat this process until all the dough and filling are used up.
- To prevent the fatayer from opening, poke a few times with a fork to allow steam to escape.
Baking:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and bake the fatayer on a light baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes, or until browned.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
As with any recipe, there are a few common mistakes that can happen when making these pastries. Here are some tips to help you avoid them:
- Overstuffing the dough: One common mistake is to overstuff the dough with filling, which can cause it to tear or leak during baking. To avoid this, make sure to use just enough filling to cover the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Using too much salt: Another common mistake is to use too much salt in the filling, which can overpower the other flavors. To avoid this, taste the filling before adding salt and adjust as needed.
- Not letting the dough rest: It’s important to let the dough rest before rolling it out, as this allows the gluten to relax and makes it easier to work with. If you skip this step, the dough may be difficult to roll out and may not hold its shape during baking.
- Not sealing the edges properly: To prevent the filling from leaking out during baking, it’s important to seal the edges of the dough tightly. Use a fork or your fingers to press the edges together firmly, making sure there are no gaps.
Variations of Spinach and Cheese Fatayer
There are many variations of this delicious pastry that you can try.
- One popular variation is to add meat to the filling. Ground lamb or beef can be added to the spinach and cheese mixture to create a heartier and more filling pastry. Another variation is to use different types of cheese. Ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, or even goat cheese can be used in place of feta cheese for a different flavor.
- You can also experiment with different spices and herbs to add more flavor to the filling. Cumin, coriander, and paprika are common spices used in Middle Eastern cuisine that can be added to the filling. Fresh herbs such as parsley, mint, or dill can also be added to the mixture for a burst of freshness.
- Finally, you can also experiment with the pastry dough itself. Instead of using a traditional yeast dough, you can use a phyllo dough or puff pastry for a different texture. You can also make mini fatayer by using wonton wrappers or pie crusts.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed learning about spinach and cheese fatayer as much as I enjoyed writing about it. These delicious pastries are a great option for a snack or a meal, and they’re perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack or a delicious meal, this is a great option. They’re easy to make, and they’re packed with flavor and nutrition. Plus, they’re a great way to use up any leftover spinach or cheese you might have in your fridge.
So next time you’re looking for a tasty treat, give spinach and cheese fatayer a try. You won’t be disappointed!
By the way, the best dish to accompany fatayer is garlic sauce.
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