In the Kitchen: Spinach and cheese puffs

January 31, 2013

I was back home for my first Thanksgiving in five years and I had barely set my suitcase down when my mother turned to me and said that I had to make spinach puffs.  She is the main beneficiary of a Bon Appétit Magazine  subscription that my brother and I have both been too lazy to cancel. So she  had dog eared a few recipes that she thought we could try for the holiday of eating. Who am I to refuse the wishes of my mother?

I loved the look of these spinach puffs because they are basically easy, little spanikopita bites.  I used to frequent pizzerias and small restaurants in New York that would serve these cripsy little containers of spinach and feta.  This recipe is a take on spanikopita and I revised it to make it party size (what party food comes with only six servings right?)

I revised the recipe here and these became a hit at Thanksgiving.  They are savory, crispy and oh so delicious.  We ran out of muffin tins and I ended up making a few in mini muffin pans (perfect and bite size!)

Spinach puff top view by Chic n Cheap Living
How cute are the mini puffs?
Spinach puff small by Chic n Cheap Living

Spinach and cheese puffs

Ingredients

  • 2 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed
  • 12 oz. reduced fat crumbled feta
  • 1/2 cup minced onion (1 small onion)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (I used about 3/4 teaspoon of each)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 sheets frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3-ounce package), thawed, rolled out to a 12-inch square, kept chilled

Special Equipment

  • Two 12 cup muffin pan (or two to four mini muffin pans with pastry squares cut accordingly)

Makes more than 24 regular muffin sized puffs

Preparation

1. Using your hands, squeeze spinach and drain out as much water as you can. Mix spinach and remaining ingredients except eggs, salt, pepper, and feta. Season to taste with salt and pepper and mix in two eggs.

Spinach puff mixture by Chic n Cheap Living

2. Cut puff pastry lengthwise into 3 equal strips. Cut each strip into 3 squares (or 4 squares for mini muffin pan). Place a square in each muffin cup, pressing into bottom and up sides and leaving corners pointing up. Put just enough filling to reach the top of the cup. Fold pastry over filling, pressing corners together to meet in center (somewhat like a pinwheel shape).  Spinach puffs can be assembled 3 hours ahead and refrigerated

3. Preheat oven to 400°. Beat remaining egg to blend in a small bowl and brush pastry with egg wash. Bake until pastry is golden brown and puffed, about 25-30 minutes for regular muffin size and 20 minutes for mini muffin size. Let puffs cool, loosen from pan, and serve.

Spinach puff top view 2 by Chic n Cheap Living

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  • honeymyheart January 31, 2013 at 01:43

    oh this looks so good! i really want to indulge in something like this 🙂

  • Sam January 31, 2013 at 07:30

    Yay!!! Your site is working again on my server, so happy! And relieved. I love anything to do with spinach and add cheese to add its even better! Looks so delish.

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living January 31, 2013 at 07:35

      Oh yay, I was just about to reply to you. My husband actually said that error looks similar to the error when the internet connection drops. I am glad you can see the site again and yes, the option for getting posts by email should be on the homepage if you get the error again!

  • Erika ~TiptoeButterfly~ January 31, 2013 at 08:23

    when i’m gonna “treat” myself to puff pastry and cheese – i’m making these – printing recipie NOW

  • Cafe Fashionista January 31, 2013 at 08:51

    Ordinarily I don’t like spinach or cheese, but these look positively incredible! Plus, my mom would adore them – we’re talking hardcore cheese lover here! 😀

  • Kim January 31, 2013 at 09:46

    These look like little bites of heaven! Perfect for a Thanksgiving appetizer, or an anytime appetizer. Delicious!

  • lyddiegal January 31, 2013 at 10:13

    as someone of greek heritage, i’d definitely appreciate these!
    they look so good!

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living January 31, 2013 at 11:30

      Mmm Greek food. I liked making these because phyllo can be a little tricky (it rips so easily) and these are easy to make!

  • Johanna January 31, 2013 at 10:32

    I can get behind this recipe for sure! YuM!

  • Krysten January 31, 2013 at 10:39

    Mmm those look delish!

  • Rowena @ rolala loves January 31, 2013 at 10:49

    Oh my these look absolutely scrumptious! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    Rowena @ rolala loves

  • Emma (Fluff and Fripperies) January 31, 2013 at 11:45

    These look absolutely delicious! When I was in Greece I practically lived on cheese and spinach pastries. My tummy is rumbling just thinking about it!

  • Kim January 31, 2013 at 12:52

    I’ve had those before and they are sooooo good!

  • Heather January 31, 2013 at 13:54

    Yum! These look super tasty!

  • Heel in Mint January 31, 2013 at 16:00

    Looks delicious!! I love anything with spinach. 🙂
    xx
    Heel in Mint

  • phiphi's blog January 31, 2013 at 16:49

    OH EM GEE

    this looks SO good – you are such a whiz in the kitchen. i will have to give this recipe a try too. mm so hungry now. 🙂

    xox P

    phiphi’s blog

  • brandi January 31, 2013 at 22:12

    they look delicious!!!
    xx
    b

  • Blond Duck January 31, 2013 at 22:12

    My MIL makes this great spinach pastry, but this looks so much easier. Plus, I get my own. 🙂

  • Jennifer Fabulous January 31, 2013 at 22:21

    These look heavenly! My parents are having a Superbowl party on Sunday, so I’m actually going to suggest these to my mom. Or maybe I’ll surprise her and make them myself and bring them over. 🙂

  • MOSAMUSE January 31, 2013 at 23:55

    this looks good! i actually have never trie these b4
    xo
    MOSAMUSE

    http://www.MOSAMUSE.com

  • Anna @ IHOD February 2, 2013 at 04:33

    This sounds divine!
    Dying to try it!
    Thanks for sharing the recipe:)
    x

  • […] with my family usually has an Asian focus with a few newer Western side dishes thrown in (like the spinach puffs I made last […]

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