Spanaki Pilafi Recipes

LEMONY GREEK RICE PILAF (PILAFI) RECIPE WITH CHICKEN LEGS

Steps:

• To prepare this Greek rice pilaf recipe with chicken legs, start by washing thoroughly the chicken legs and pat them dry with some kitchen paper. Drizzle the chicken legs with olive oil, season well with salt and pepper and rub using your hands.
• Heat a large pan over medium high heat and place the chicken legs inside. Let them colour and cook for about 6 minutes on each side, until the skin is nicely coloured and crispy. Remove the chicken legs from the pan and set side.
• Now it's time to prepare the Greek rice pilaf. In the same pan add 1-2 tbsps olive oil and the chopped onions and sauté until soft. Add the butter and rice and sauté the rice until translucent. Pour in the chicken stock and lemon juice and deglaze. Add the chicken legs (skin side up) and season well with salt and pepper.
• Place the lid on, turn the heat down and simmer the Greek rice pilaf for about 15 minutes, until the chicken and rice are cooked and all the liquid has been absorbed.
• Finish off the Greek rice pilaf with a last minute squeeze of lemon juice, crumbled feta cheese and freshly ground pepper. Enjoy!

SPANAKI PILAFI

Steps:

• Place spinach in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat, covered, for 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Place rice in a 2qt saucepan, add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, stir in rice with a fork, then simmer until water is absorbed.
• Add the partially cooked rice to the spinach, stir carefully with a fork to mix. Add salt, pepper and mint. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, until rice is fully cooked.
• In a frying pan, heat olive oil to the sizzling point. Do not allow to burn.
• Pour holt oil over the rice and spinach, stirring carefully to mix.
• Cover pot. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
• Serve in a shallow bowl and sqeeze plenty of lemon juice over pilaf.

CHICKEN BREAST SPANAKI

Steps:

• Pour olive oil in pot over medium heat and add both types of onion. Saute for 1 minute, and then add spinach. Saute for approximately 10 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Pour spinach mixture in a bowl and cool. Add dill, eggs, feta and pepper to spinach mixture and mix very well.
• Butterfly chicken breasts and fill with spinach/feta mixture. Close the breast and broil for 10 minutes on each side. After 15 minutes, douse chicken breasts with olive oil, lemon and oregano, and serve.

PILAFI (GREEK STYLE RICE)

Steps:

• Using the chicken broth for liquid, cook the rice according to directions.
• Stir in the vegetables and the paprika.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 9x9 inch square baking pan.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, green onions and garlic, until soft and lightly browned. Stir in spinach and parsley, and continue to saute until spinach is limp, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, and feta. Stir in spinach mixture. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough in prepared baking pan, and brush lightly with olive oil. Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with olive oil, and repeat process with two more sheets of phyllo. The sheets will overlap the pan. Spread spinach and cheese mixture into pan and fold overhanging dough over filling. Brush with oil, then layer remaining 4 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with oil. Tuck overhanging dough into pan to seal filling.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Cut into squares and serve while hot.