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spinach fatayer

Spinach Fatayer (Lebanese Spinach Pies)

Small baked lemony spinach pies

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Lebanese
Keyword Baking, Healthy, Vegetarian
Prep Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 50 fatayer
Author Zaatar and Zaytoun

Ingredients

For the spinach mixture

  • 500 g of spinach roughly chopped
  • 2 small onions
  • 1 tablespoon sumac
  • Juice of half a lemon approx 50ml
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon 7 spice
  • 2 tablespoon of olive oil

For the Fatayer Dough

  • 3 cups plain all purpose flour
  • ½ cup lukewarm water
  • ½ cup lukewarm milk
  • 1 tablespoon dried active yeast
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 3 tablespoon regular olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

To make the Fatayer Dough

  1. In a mug, combine the milk and slightly warm tepid water together along with the sugar and yeast. Stir well and leave for about 10 minutes until bubbles form at the surface.

  2. In a large bowl, add the salt and flour, oil and yeast liquid and bring together. If the dough is a little dry add a tablespoon of water at a time until you have a smooth ball.

  3. Then turn out into a floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes so the dough springs back when you poke it.

  4. Cover the bowl with cling film or damp cloth and leave to rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours or until doubled in size. If the room is cold, warm the oven on the lowest setting then turn off to prove the dough

To prepare the Spinach Mixture

  1. Wash and roughly chop the spinach leaves. Transfer to a colander and lightly sprinkle with salt and leave to dehydrate for 15-30 minutes.
  2. Then in batches, press a handful of spinach leaves in your hands over the sink squeezing out any excess moisture. Add to a mixing bowl
  3. Finely chop the onions or blitz in a food processor. Squeeze and press out excess moisture using your hands and add to the spinach
  4. Add the lemon juice, salt, seven spice, sumac and a little olive oil. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary

To make the Spinach Fatayer

  1. Turn your oven on to the highest setting (usually 230C or 450F)
  2. Roll out golf sized pieces of dough into very thin rounds (approximately 3mm) roughly the size of your palm
  3. Add a good tablespoon of spinach mixture in the centre, take one side and start to press a half circle, before you reach halfway take the middLe of the other side and bring together to form a triangle shape (See video)
  4. Pinch the edges well and and lay on a non stick baking tray or pan. Brush lightly with a little milk
  5. Bake 7-10 minutes until golden

  6. Serve either warm or cold

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

You can knead the dough in a food processor using the dough blade for 1-2 minutes.