SPINACH, SILVERBEET & RICOTTA PIE

Prep 30 mins | Cook 50 mins | Serves 8

Ingredients

Olive oil, for greasing
1 bunch (about 1kg) silverbeet (see note)
2 bunches (about 350g each) English spinach, trimmed (see note)
2 free-range eggs
5 green onions (shallots), trimmed and thinly sliced
¼ cup finely chopped dill leaves
400g ricotta cheese, crumbled
100g feta cheese, crumbled
8 sheets filo pastry
Olive oil cooking spray
Tomato & olive salad, lemon wedges, and chili jam, to serve

STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Grease a 20cm x 30cm x 3cm deep baking pan with oil.

STEP 2 Remove white stems and veins from silverbeet. Wash silverbeet and spinach leaves in cold water. Place wet leaves into a large saucepan and heat, tossing, over medium-high heat until just wilted. Drain well in a colander. Set aside to cool slightly.

STEP 3 Whisk eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add green onions, dill, ricotta, and feta. Season with salt and pepper. Mix until well combined.

STEP 4 Firmly squeeze silverbeet and spinach leaves to remove excess moisture. Roughly chop and add to the ricotta mixture. Mix until well combined.

STEP 5 Spray 4 filo pastry sheets with oil and layer into a stack. Place pastry stack into the prepared pan. Spoon over silverbeet mixture and smooth top. Spray remaining filo sheets with oil and layer into a stack. Place over silverbeet mixture and trim pastry edges. Score pastry into 8 portions. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and crisp. Serve with a tomato and olive salad, lemon wedges and chili jam, if liked.

Note – you’ll need about 350g trimmed silverbeet leaves and 120g trimmed spinach leaves.

Good for you … SILVERBEET

Provides vitamin C and beta carotene (which is converted to vitamin A in the body). Both these vitamins contribute to the body’s immune function. Also a source of vitamin B6 which is needed for normal metabolism of protein and folate, a B vitamin that contributes to reducing tiredness.

Provides dietary fiber, which helps keep the intestine functioning normally.

A source of manganese, a mineral that contributes to bone structure.

Silverbeet also contains calcium and iron, but neither is well absorbed in the body.

Recipe courtesy of Sydney Markets