Quick and Easy Appetizer: Spanakopita Bites

New recipe post for you guys!

For Greek Easter, Uncle Chris asked me to bring an appetizer.  In a recent Friday Favorites post, I linked to this recipe and said I knew what I was going to do with the extra Athens phyllo dough just hanging out in my freezer.  Stumbling upon this recipe was definitely timely!

spanakopita bitesSpanakopita Bites

Ingredients

  • Frozen phyllo cups (two 15 count packages from Athens)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 10 ounces of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 6 ounces feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 egg
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Place phyllo cups on 2 baking sheets and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  4. Add onion, season with salt and pepper, then sauté about 5 minutes.
  5. Add garlic, sauté for 30 more seconds, then transfer mixture to a large bowl and cool slightly.
  6. Add spinach, feta cheese, parsley, nutmeg, and egg (whisked) – then stir to combine.
  7. Spoon mixture into phyllo cups, then bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cups are golden brown around the edges.
  8. Feast!

Spanakopita bites 2I knew the fam would gobble these right up.  If you need a quick and easy app to bring to a party, this is it!

–Let’s chat–
What’s your favorite “quick and easy” appetizer? Any traditional favorites (like spanakopita) that you’ve discovered an easier version of making?

Today is the first session of our new Stress Less seminar at work as part of the wellness program. I’ve put a ton of work into this presentation… wish me luck!

Scenes from Greek Easter 2013

Friday, thank you for finally being here.  I’ve definitely been in a slight rut this week, and honestly just today feel like I’m able to “catch up” on things.  That being said, I don’t have any Friday Favorites to share with you guys this week because I barely did any blog reading of my own!  Instead, I just want to share some fun pictures from Greek Easter last Sunday.

Oh!  If you are sitting there thinking, “wasn’t Easter in March” then you should read this article.  It’s a nice explanation of why Orthodox Christians (like us feta-loving Greeks) celebrate Easter on a different day.  Then look at the pictures!

Greek Easter 2013

Greek Easter 2013:  Me & Tim

Spanakopita Bites

Greek Easter 2013

Greek Easter 2013:  Easter Eggs

Greek Easter 2013

Greek Easter Dinner 2013

Greek Easter 2013:  Lamb Tacos

Easter Egg Bracketology

Easter Egg Bracketology 2

Easter Egg Bracketology 3

Easter Egg Bracketology 4

Easter Egg Bracketology 5

Easter Egg Bracketology 7

Pecan Crusted Carrot Cake

Greek Easter: Trifle

Greek Easter: Carrot Cake

Greek Easter 2013: Nap

Some highlights:

  • Lamb tacos.  Since Greek Easter fell on Cinco de Mayo, how else were we supposed to celebrate both holidays at once?
  • The yummy appetizer I brought, spanakopita bites.  I like to call it the lazy quick and easy version of real spanakopita.
  • My first attempt ever at a carrot cake
  • Easter egg bracketology, an annual tradition

It was a beautiful day out, so we also went for a walk between eating dinner and dessert.  I’m so happy spring has finally sprung in Boston.  The sunshine makes everything better.

What are your favorite holiday traditions?  Easter egg bracketology is definitely one of mine!

Happy weekend, everyone.