Best Greek Greens Recipes

GREEK GREENS PIE

Steps:

• If using spinach, it needs to be steamed 1 to 2 minutes to wilt; chard or beet greens need to steam 3 to 4 minutes to wilt.
• Transfer wilted greens to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking; squeeze out as much moisture as you can.
• Chop and set aside in a large bowl.
• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat and cook the onion, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes; add green onions and cook another minute.
• Stir in the greens and chopped herbs; season with salt and pepper and toss well.
• Stir in the feta cheese.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F; oil a 10 inch round baking dish or cake pan.
• In a medium saucepan, bring milk and 1/2 cup water to a simmer, over medium heat; add salt and slowly stream in the cornmeal while stirring with a whisk or wooden spoon to prevent clumping.
• Continue to stir until the mixture thickens like polenta.
• Remove from heat and spread half the mixture in your prepared pan in a thin, even layer; spread the greens over the cornmeal in another even layer.
• Dilute the remaining cornmeal with water until it resembles wet sand then stir in the remaining oil; spoon over the greens and smooth into an even layer (don't worry if it doesn't completely cover the greens).
• Bake until the top is browned, about 45 minutes to an hour.
• Remove and let sit for 30 minutes before cutting to allow the crusts to set up.
• NOTE: You can make this several hours before serving and heat in a slow oven. It is also good at room temperature. It will keep, refrigerated, 3 days.

GREEK-STYLE DINNER PIE WITH LEFTOVER GREENS

Steps:

• In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add the onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt and the garlic, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• If using raw greens, add, stirring until wilted, 2 to 4 minutes depending on which greens are used. If using cooked greens, add, stirring just until heated. Add parsley and dill, and season with salt and pepper to taste
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brush a 10-inch tart or pie pan with oil. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the feta and the greens mixture, and stir to combine.
• Spread a sheet of phyllo across the pan, so that the edges of it drape evenly over the pan. Gently fit the center of it into the base of the pan. Quickly and lightly, brush the phyllo with butter. Repeat with seven more sheets of phyllo, stacking them one on top of the other so that they form an asterisk pattern.
• Fill with the greens mixture, and fold the draped edges over to enclose the filling. Top with the remaining four sheets of phyllo, buttering each one, and again stacking in an asterisk pattern. Fold the edges under so that the dough extends about an inch beyond the rim of the pan, and then tuck the dough slightly into the pan, while rolling and twisting the edge under to shape a crust. Using a sharp knife, make several slashes through the top of the pie into the filling to allow steam to escape as the pie bakes.
• Bake the pie until the crust is crisp and golden brown, about 50 minutes. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature. For a crispy crust, this is best served the same day baked.

GREEK GREENS

Steps:

• Set up a grill for cooking with indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only. Place a heavy-bottomed enameled cast-iron pan over the direct heat side of the grill and add the olive oil.
• Add the onions, fennel and garlic with a pinch of salt and allow to begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until rusty, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Deglaze the pan with 1 cup water, scraping the bottom for any brown bits. Add all of the greens and season with salt and pepper.
• Cover the pan with a lid.
• Move the pan to the indirect-heat side of the grill, then close the lid and cook until the greens are wilted, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the grill and stir in the dill and lemon juice. Serve.

GREEK GREENS PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• 1. If using spinach, wash the leaves, then steam, in batches if necessary, for 1 to 2 minutes, just until wilted. If using chard or beet greens, either steam 3 to 4 minutes, until wilted, or blanch in salted boiling water for about 2 minutes. Transfer the wilted greens to a bowl of cold water, then drain and squeeze out moisture. Chop medium-fine and set aside in a large bowl. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the scallions and cook for another minute, then stir in the greens and chopped herbs. Toss everything together, season to taste with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat. Add the feta and stir together. 3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 10-inch round baking dish or cake pan. I prefer to use an earthenware baking dish. 4. Combine the milk and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add salt to taste and slowly stream in the cornmeal while stirring with a whisk or a wooden spoon. If you don't add it in a very fine stream it will lump. Stir until the mixture is thick, like polenta. Remove from the heat and place half of the mixture in your oiled baking dish. Moisten your hands and spread the cornmeal mixture over the bottom of the pan in a thin, even layer. 5. Spread the greens over the cornmeal bottom crust in an even layer. Dilute the remaining cornmeal mixture with water until it is the consistency of wet sand. Stir in the remaining olive oil. Spoon it over the greens and spread, using the back of a spoon or moistened hands, in an even layer. Don't worry if it doesn't cover every bit of the top. 6. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour in the preheated oven, until the top is browned. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 30 minutes before cutting.

GREEK GREENS PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• If using spinach, wash the leaves, then steam, in batches if necessary, for 1 to 2 minutes, just until wilted. If using chard or beet greens, either steam 3 to 4 minutes, until wilted, or blanch in salted boiling water for about 2 minutes. Transfer the wilted greens to a bowl of cold water, then drain and squeeze out moisture. Chop medium-fine and set aside in a large bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the scallions and cook for another minute, then stir in the greens and chopped herbs. Toss everything together, season to taste with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat. Add the feta and stir together.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 10-inch round baking dish or cake pan. I prefer to use an earthenware baking dish.
• Combine the milk and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add salt to taste and slowly stream in the cornmeal while stirring with a whisk or a wooden spoon. If you don't add it in a very fine stream it will lump. Stir until the mixture is thick, like polenta. Remove from the heat and place half of the mixture in your oiled baking dish. Moisten your hands and spread the cornmeal mixture over the bottom of the pan in a thin, even layer.
• Spread the greens over the cornmeal bottom crust in an even layer. Dilute the remaining cornmeal mixture with water until it is the consistency of wet sand. Stir in the remaining olive oil. Spoon it over the greens and spread, using the back of a spoon or moistened hands, in an even layer. Don't worry if it doesn't cover every bit of the top.
• Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour in the preheated oven, until the top is browned. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 30 minutes before cutting.

GREEK SKILLET PIES WITH FETA AND GREENS

Steps:

• Make the phyllo dough: Combine flour and salt in the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with dough hook. Add olive oil, vinegar and 1/2 cup cold water. Mix at medium speed for about 5 minutes to obtain a smooth, soft dough. If the dough seems dry, add up to 3 tablespoons more water. Wrap in plastic film and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Blanch greens in salted boiling water for 30 seconds. Drain, rinse with cool water, squeeze dry and chop fine. In a small bowl, put chopped greens, parsley, dill, oregano, black pepper to taste, a pinch of crushed chile pepper and the feta. Mix with a fork to combine.
• Give dough a quick knead and divide into 6 pieces. Dust dough with cornstarch or rice flour, then roll each piece of dough as thinly as possible, stretching gradually to a diameter of 16 inches. Alternatively, roll dough to the thinnest possible setting of a pasta machine. Cut each circle in half and dust pieces with cornstarch or rice flour and stack off to the side. Alternatively, roll dough to the thinnest possible setting of a pasta machine and make smaller pies.
• Assemble the pies: Put a ridged stovetop grill or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. For each pie, lay 1 sheet phyllo on work surface and brush with olive oil. Cover half the sheet lightly with filling, using 3 to 4 tablespoons of mixture per pie. Fold over the other side and press down to seal pie. It will be a rough, very flat triangle shape.
• Brush both exterior sides with olive oil, carefully lay pie on the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and crisp (reduce heat as necessary). Flip pie and cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and crisp. Remove and serve warm; cut into smaller pieces if desired. Continue to make pies with remaining ingredients.

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK GREENS PIE )

Steps:

• Cook spinach til tender; drain, lightly squeeze out excess water and place in med bowl. Add 1 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice and rind to spinach; mix well. Set aside.
• Saute onions with spices in 2 tbsp olive oil until onions are transparent. Stir in rice, water and raisins; heat through. Set aside.
• In separate bowl, beat eggs lightly with pepper. Add feta cheese and mix well. Set aside.
• In a 9" oiled deep pie pan, lay one sheet of phyllo on the bottom of the pan and brush entire surface with melted butter. Top with 7 more sheets, one by one, brushing each and rotating each sheet 20 degrees. There will be over-hang.
• Over that, carefully layer the onion mixture, then the spinach, then the cheese.
• Cover with a top 'crust' of phyllo by repeating same procedure as step 4: Eight sheets, each brushed with butter and rotated.
• Roll-up the overhanging dough to form a seal. Brush top with melted butter.
• Bake 350 degrees, for 1/2 hour. Lay a piece of foil over top and continue to bake for another 1/2 hour or until done.
• Allow to cool to room temperature before eating.

GREEK BOILED EGGS WITH LEMON/OIL SAUCE OVER GREENS

Steps:

• Hard cook the eggs. Peel and quarter.
• While eggs are cooking, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil and mustard.
• Place greens on plates. Arrange 6 egg quarters over greens on each plate.
• Salt and pepper each plate, lightly.
• Drizzle sauce over each plate. Serve.

GREEK SUMMER SALAD: STRAWBERRIES AND FETA ON MIXED BABY GREENS

Steps:

• Wash & rinse your salad greens, pat dry with paper towels to ensure most of the water has been removed from the leaves. Set aside.
• In a large serving bowl, whisk together the first 7 VINAIGRETTE ingredients. Continue whisking while adding a slow and steady stream of extra-virgin olive oil, followed by the mild/light olive oil. Whisk until you get a creamy, emulsified mixture. (Makes about 1 cup. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.).
• Add the salad greens, tarragon, strawberries, and olives to the bowl; gently toss to coat all your salad leaves with the vinaigrette.
• Equally divide your salad and place on chilled plates; top with the walnuts, feta, and lemon zest. Do like the Greeks, serve with crusty Italian or French bread to mop up the leftover vinaigrette and strawberry juices.

GREEK BLACK-EYED PEAS AND COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• PREPARATION Place the black-eyed peas in a large saucepan, cover with water by two inches, bring to a boil and then drain. Combine with half the onion and one of the garlic cloves in the saucepan. Add water to cover by two inches, and bring back to a simmer. Add the bay leaf, and reduce the heat. Add salt to taste, cover and simmer 30 minutes, until the beans are just tender. Drain through a strainer set over a bowl. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large, ovenproof lidded skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat and add the remaining onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes, and add the remaining garlic. Stir together for 30 seconds to a minute, until fragrant. A handful at a time, stir in the greens. As the greens wilt, stir in another handful, until all the greens have been added and have collapsed in the pan. Add the dissolved tomato paste and stir together. Add salt to taste. Add the beans and enough cooking liquid to barely cover everything, cover and place in the oven for 30 minutes, until the collards are tender and the beans very soft. Uncover the pot, and add a bit of liquid if the beans are dry. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the dill, cover and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve warm or hot. If you wish, top with crumbled feta or a squeeze of lemon. Tip Advance preparation: This will keep for three or four days in the refrigerator. Marthat Rose Shulman can be reached at martha-rose-shulman.com.

GREEK GREENS

Steps:

• Cut away any tough stems from the greens and discard. Wash the greens thoroughly and cut any very large leaves in half. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the greens and cook, uncovered, for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the greens are just tender. Drain leaves in a colander and cool, pressing down with the back of a spoon to extract all the water. Place greens in a baking dish, using a fork to loosen and separate the leaves. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Pour over the greens. Serve warm or room temperature.

GREEK-STYLE DINNER PIE WITH LEFT-OVER GREENS

Steps:

• PREPARATION In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add the onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt and the garlic, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds. If using raw greens, add, stirring until wilted, 2 to 4 minutes depending on which greens are used. If using cooked greens, add, stirring just until heated. Add parsley and dill, and season with salt and pepper to taste Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brush a 10-inch part or pie pan with oil. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the feta and the greens mixture, and stir to combine. Spread a sheet of phyllo across the pan, so that the edges of it drape evenly over the pan. Gently fit the center of it into the base of the pan. Quickly and lightly, brush the phyllo with butter. Repeat with seven more sheets of phyllo, stacking them one on top of the other so that they form an asterisk pattern. Fill with the greens mixture, and fold the draped edges over to enclose the filling. Top with the remaining four sheets of phyllo, buttering each one, and again stacking in an asterisk pattern. Fold the edges under so that the dough extends about an inch beyond the rim of the pan, and then tuck the dough slightly into the pan, while rolling and twisting the edge under to shape a crust. Using a sharp knife, make several slashes through the top of the pie into the filling to allow steam to escape as the pie bakes. Bake the pie until the crust is crisp and golden brown, about 50 minutes. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature. For a crispy crust, this is best served the same day baked.

GREEK BEET AND BEET GREENS PIE

Steps:

• Roast beets as directed and allow to cool. Slip off skins and slice in rounds.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and add beet greens. Blanch 1 minute, remove from water with a skimmer and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Drain and squeeze out excess water, taking greens up by the handful. Chop coarsely.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, 5 to 8 minutes, and add garlic and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and stir in blanched greens and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until ingredients are mixed and remove from heat.
• Whisk eggs in a large bowl and crumble in feta. Whisk together, then stir in greens and beets. Add chopped fresh parsley, mint and dill. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 375ºF. Combine butter and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a microwave-safe cup or bowl or in a small saucepan, and heat gently (50 percent power if using microwave) until butter has melted. Lightly brush a 10-inch straight-sided tart pan or cake pan, either ceramic or metal, with butter/oil mix.
• Lay a sheet of phyllo in the pan, tucking it into the seam, with edges overhanging the rim. Brush phyllo lightly with butter/oil mix and turn the pan slightly, then place another sheet on top, positioning it so the edges overlap another section of the pan's rim. Continue to layer in 5 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each one with butter and oil and staggering them so the overhang on the rim of the pan is evenly distributed and covers entire pan.
• Fill lined pan with beet and greens mix, scraping every last bit into the pan with a spatula, then fold overhanging phyllo edges in over the filling, brushing each one lightly with butter/oil mix. Layer remaining 5 sheets of dough over filling, brushing each sheet with butter and olive oil and rotating pan slightly after each addition. Crimp edges down into the sides of the pan. Brush top with butter and oil. Pierce top of pie in several places with a sharp knife. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until top is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. Recrisp crust in a low oven for 10 to 20 minutes if necessary before serving.

AUTHENTIC GREEK SPANAKOPITA WITH MIXED GREENS

Steps:

• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Heat ¼ cup of olive oil then add the onions and the leeks and cook them until tender and soft. Remove them from the heat, place them in a bowl and set aside to cool.
• Trim the spinach and the chard, removing the hard part of the chard stems. Chop them and place them in a large colander. Sprinkle the greens with 1-2 tsps. of salt, toss them and let them sit for about twenty minutes.
• Massage the greens with your hands and squeeze them between your palms to drain the water. This is the traditional way of preparing the greens and it is a very important step, as it allows us to reduce the volume of the greens to about one quarter of its original mass by getting rid of their water (this method allows us to wilt the greens without cooking them). Add the greens to the bowl with the cooled onions and leeks. To the same bowl, add the cheese and the aromatics (dill, parsley, fennel fronds), then sprinkle it with some salt and freshly ground pepper. Mix well and set aside. If you want you can drizzle the mixture with a little more olive oil.
• Preheat the oven to 375° F. Unwrap the filo and arrange it on a clean work surface with the long side nearest to you.
• Brush some olive oil on all sides and the bottom of a 14"x10"x2" ceramic or glass baking pan and set it aside. On a clean work surface, place the first sheet of filo and brush it with olive oil. Place a second sheet over the first and brush it with olive oil too. Repeat this process with 6 more sheets of filo and until you have created a stack of 8 filo sheets. Lift them carefully and place them in the prepared baking pan. Pour the mixture of greens and feta over the stacked filo and spread it evenly in the pan. On your clean surface, repeat the process of brushing each one of the remaining 8 filo sheets with olive oil, then carefully lift the second stack of filo and place on top of the filling. Fold the edges over the spanakopita, so the filling is completely enclosed. Brush the top sheet with some more olive oil. With a sharp knife, carefully score the top filo sheets into square shapes. This step ensures that the filo does not crumble after it is baked and when it is cut through.
• Bake the spanakopita for 30-40 minutes, or, until the filo is nice and golden. The cooking time depends on the kind of filo you use and on your oven. Let it cool for 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving.

GREEK GREENS

Steps:

• Cut away any tough stems from the greens and discard.
• Wash the greens thoroughly and cut any very large leaves in half.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
• Add the greens and cook, uncovered, for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the greens are just tender.
• Drain leaves in a colander and cool, pressing down with the back of a spoon to extract all the water.
• Place greens in a baking dish, using a fork to loosen and separate the leaves.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• Pour over the greens.
• Serve warm or room temperature.