Ask a Chef reveals the secrets of those superb dishes you ate in cafes and restaurants and wanted to try yourself.
The Roost Cafe's spanakopita
Ingredients
400g spinach
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 large carrot, grated
6 eggs, lightly beaten
¾ cup cream
¼ cup sweet chilli sauce
2 Tbsp fresh chopped dill or tsp chopped dill seeds
½ Tbsp Dijon mustard
200g feta cheese, crumbled
250g cottage cheese
¾ cup tasty cheese
1 tsp salt or to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
16 sheets filo pastry
spray canola oil
extra filo for flowers
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
Method
Wash the spinach, shake dry and chop finely. Saute or microwave the onion and garlic in the oil until soft. Drain well.
Microwave the carrot and spinach, covered, for about 3 minutes. Drain well, pressing the liquid out of the mix .
Beat the eggs with the cream. Add the chilli sauce, dill, mustard and the two drained vege mixes. Add the 3 cheeses and mix well. Adjust seasonings.
Preheat oven to 190degC. Grease a 30x23 or 20cm round tin and line with baking paper.
Spray a sheet of filo with oil. Drape it over the base and sides of the pan. Allow for an overhang to fold over the filling at the end. Continue spraying and layering until you have gone round three times.
Pour in the filling and spread evenly. Fold the overhang of each layer up over the filling. Create a lip with the last layer around the edge.
Spray another sheet of filo and make it into a rough flower shape. Tuck this under the lip of filo. Fill the top with more filo flowers.
Spray the completed dish with oil, sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake until set, about 2 hours.
Place an oven tray on rack above if it browns too quickly .
Serve with salad and homemade chutney .
Requested by Eileen Mains, of Oamaru.
Shona Sinclair of The Roost Cafe in 30 Thames St, Oamaru, has sent this recipe.
• If you have enjoyed a dish in an Otago cafe or restaurant and would like the recipe, write to Ask a Chef, Features, Otago Daily Times, PO Box 181, Dunedin, fax 474-7422, or email odt.features@odt.co.nz , including your name, address and a daytime telephone number, and we will request it.
