Spinach, Wild Garlic and Filo Pie Recipe

Method

1. Put the butter into a small pan and leave over a low heat until melted. Pour off the clear butter into a bowl, leaving behind the milky-white solids.

2. Crumble the feta into a large bowl and coarsely mash it with a fork. Add the ricotta, Parmesan, eggs, breadcrumbs, nutmeg, oil, spring onions, 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper and mix together well.

3. Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Lightly butter a 20 x 30cm roasting tin, 5cm deep. Unroll the filo pastry onto the work surface. Set aside 7 sheets for the top and cover with a damp tea towel to prevent them drying out. Working as quickly as you can, brush one pastry sheet with the melted butter and pop it buttered-side down to line the base and sides of the dish, leaving about 5cm of the edges overhanging. Repeat this process with another 6 pastry sheets.

4. Add the shredded spinach and garlic leaves to the egg mix and stir together well. Spoon the mixture into the pastry-lined tin and spread it out evenly.

5. Butter one of the reserved pastry sheets and lay it buttered-side down over the pie, pressing it down well onto the top of the mixture. Repeat with the remaining 6 sheets. Press the overhanging edges together then trim to within 2.5cm of the edge of the dish. Lift them up and tuck them down the sides of the pie.

6. Using a sharp knife, mark the top of the pie into 8 pieces. Sprinkle with a little water and bake for 45 minutes until set in the middle, crisp and richly golden, covering loosely with foil if it starts to brown too quickly. Leave to cool for 15 minutes, then cut into pieces along the marked lines and serve.