Ingredients
Filling
- 250 g spinach
- 1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
- Olive oil, for sautéing
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 200 g feta cheese, chopped
Pastry
- 8 sheets of filo pastry
- 75 g butter, melted (for brushing and assembling)
- Sesame seeds, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach Filling: Wash the spinach thoroughly and roughly chop it. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add the chopped garlic, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Combine with Feta: In a bowl, combine the cooked spinach mixture with the chopped feta cheese. Mix gently to distribute the filling ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the Filo Pastry: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lay one sheet of filo on a clean surface and brush it lightly with melted butter. Place a second sheet on top and brush with butter again. Cut the layered filo into strips approximately 5 cm wide to form the bows.
- Assemble Filo Bows: Place a small spoonful of the spinach and feta filling near one end of each filo strip. Fold the filo over the filling to form a triangle and continue folding the strip in a triangle shape (similar to folding a flag) until the entire strip is folded. Brush the outside of each filo bow with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake the Filo Bows: Arrange the assembled filo bows on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the filo is golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving warm as an appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Be gentle when handling filo pastry as it can dry out and tear easily.
- Use fresh spinach for the best flavor and texture—frozen can be used but must be fully thawed and drained to prevent sogginess.
- Adjust seasoning in the filling as feta can be quite salty.
- Brush the filo generously with butter for the crispiest, most golden finish.
- Consider adding herbs like dill or oregano for additional flavor if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
