Nicolette Tomazos Mama's Spanakopites

I’m Nicolette Tomazos, dating flyhallf Demetri Catrakilis. After dating for five years, we jumped on a plane and made our way to Montpellier to begin our adventures in the South of France. Having just completed a Masters in Public and Social Policy at King’s College London, and only just beginning a career in Cape Town, our new home will prove to not only be the start of Demetri’s international career, but mine as well!

Growing up in a Greek household meant that I have always been exposed to food and its preparation. My sister and I have always been at my Mother or Grandmothers’ side preparing traditional Greek dishes. Lucky, Demetri has grown up in a similar environment- always next to Mom or Granny - and always a keen eater! We chose some of our favourite, home-style dishes to share with you today.

Mama's Spinach Pies Spanakopites

In true Greek style my Uncle owns a Greek coffee shop in Cape Town. When it first opened, my Mother, Sister and I would spend hours making savoury and sweet treats; my favourite (and the easiest) were these triangular spinach pies.

To make 20 pies

Ingredients

1 large onion

1 cup spring onion chopped

500 grams cream cheese

1 packet of feta cheese (Can be substituted with ricotta)

1 cup mint chopped

1 packet of frozen spinach

salt and pepper

100 grams of butter

Method

1. Begin by frying the onion and spring onion until translucent.

2. Add the spinach and the mint and combine.

3. Remove from the heat and stir in cream cheese and feta.

4. Place the mixture a colander and leave to drain in the sink.

5. Allow the mixture to drain sufficiently before preparing the filo pastry and melting the butter.

Folding your spinach pockets:

There are various ways to fold your spanakopita - the Cypriot method or Cretan method calls for either squares or rolled pies. We like to prepare triangles are they are individually portioned and easy to hold and eat.

Ensure that you cut the filo pastry into long rectangular strips. Take one strip and brush it with melted butter. Add another layer of filo pastry and brush with butter. Take a heaped tablespoon of mixture and place it at the bottom of your rectangular piece of filo pastry. Fold the corner of the pastry up and in the opposite direction to create a triangle shape.

Bake for 20 mins on 180 degrees.