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Today I invited my blog friend Katherine from Katherine Martinelli to Just One Cookbook as she just published her first e-cookbook called Puff Pastry at Brunch: 10 Sweet and Savory Recipes to Start Your Morning! I’m really excited because she’s my good blogger friend and this cookbook is about puff pastry! If you have been following my blog, you probably know that I rarely make desserts, and if I do, it’s mostly with puff pastry sheet. Without further ado, please welcome Katherine with delicious Spinach and Feta Turnovers!
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I am so honored to be guest posting Just One Cookbook today! Although Nami and I have never met I feel like we are friends. Even through emails and blog posts I can tell that she is a warm, kind soul who always tries to make time for everyone. I always enjoy emailing with Nami about blogging and food, and I want to try every single gorgeous dish that she makes. I feel so lucky to have Nami as a blog friend.
Today I am thrilled to share some very exciting news: I just published my first cookbook! It’s called Puff Pastry at Brunch: 10 Sweet and Savory Recipes to Start Your Morning and it is an e-cookbook. It was published by Hang Time Press, a lovely new media publishing house, and is available on Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook for just $2.99. I hope you’ll check it out!
All the recipes in the book call for prepared puff pastry, an ingredient that I’ve become obsessed with in recent years. I always have some stashed in my freezer and I can’t begin to tell you how often it has come to the rescue. Here I’ve used it as the base for one of my favorite meals: brunch. Although there are only 10 recipes, each one is really just a jumping off point for other recipes and I provide lots of ideas for variations.
Living in Israel, I’ve been exposed to so many new cuisines. Bourekas, a kind of savory turnover, have become a staple of my diet and are the inspiration for this recipe. They are common throughout the Middle East, Mediterranean, and North Africa and come with all kinds of fillings, from potato to “pizza.” Spinach and feta is one of my favorite flavor combinations, and it works perfectly here. These are great for brunch, but work just as well as a breakfast on the run. I like to freeze some to reheat them for an easy snack.
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- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 7 ounces spinach leaves leaves
- kosher/sea salt (I use Diamond Crystal; Use half for table salt) (for taste)
- freshly ground black pepper (for taste)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 large egg (50 g w/o shell) (separated)
- 3 ounces feta cheese (crumbled)
- 12 ounces frozen puff pastry (defrosted)
- Za’atar (optional) (See Notes)
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until just softened (be careful not to burn the garlic). Add the spinach and cook, stirring often, until fully wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat. Season lightly with salt and pepper and vigorously stir in the lemon juice and egg yolk (reserve the egg white for later). Transfer the mixture to a bowl and allow to cool.
- Once the spinach is cool enough to handle, squeeze out as much liquid as possible and roughly chop. (I realize that it seems counter-intuitive to put liquid in then squeeze it out, but after countless test runs this process led to the best results.) Return spinach to the bowl and thoroughly mix in the feta.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry to a rectangle about 1/8 inch thick and 12 by 18 inches. Cut into 6 even 5 to 6 inch squares. Put a spoonful of the spinach-feta mixture into the center of each puff pastry square. Fold the puff pastry over to form a triangle. Press down with a fork along the edges to tightly seal.
- Transfer the turnovers to the prepared baking sheet. Brush with the reserved egg white and sprinkle with za’atar, if using. Put in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Spinach-feta turnovers are excellent warm or at room temperature, and can also be made ahead and frozen.
- To freeze, lay flat on a baking tray and put in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags. To re-heat, simply bake in a pre-heated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until warmed through.
Za’atar: This is a Middle Eastern and North African spice blend most commonly made up of some combination of dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, sumac and sesame seeds. It is available at specialty food shops in the US and can be ordered from online spice shops such as The Spice House and Penzeys Spices.
Recipe by Katherine from Katherine Martinelli
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Nami, thank you so much for having me on your gorgeous blog! I am so honored and excited to be here. You are absolutely the best and I am feel so fortunate to have you as a friend!
yay! Katherine is one of my newly found favourite food Bloggers. She is truely an inspiration and I am so excited for her and her new cookbook! Thanks Nami for letting her guestpost here!
Katherine your Turnover look devine and so perfect! Its lunch time here right now and I d finnish them all!
Now I have to check out where I can get Za’atar! Learned a bunch of new things here. Thank you! =)
Spinach and Feta…sign me up for life. I wish they were my neighbours with one on each side 🙂 Great post as usual from Katherine, I love her site.
Thanks Nami..
Oh, these look so good I could eat that whole basket of them! The combination of spinach and feta is one of my absolute favorites and I much prefer pastry dough to the Greek version of this in phyllo. Great guest post!
These turnovers look perfectly delicious! I could eat too many I promise you right now 😀
Some sauce is all I need 😀
What a fabulous guest post!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Congratulations on the new cookbook. I think the availablility of puff pastry allows all of us to take your recipes and look like experts. 🙂
(*waves to Nami*)
Being a Greek I grew up loving spanakopita in any shape and form! I am sure I would love these triangles too!
Its a pleasure to see Katherine at your amazing blog, Nami. The spinach feta combo is sensational. I have never tried my hands on a puff pastry and what better way to begin with! And for me, Za’atar is definitely not optional 😉
Congrats on your first cook book Katherine 🙂
Nami-san, thanks for hosting Katherine. I am on my way over to check out her e-book. Take Care, BAM
Wonderful, I didn’t know about Katherine’s e-book. Congrats! This turnover looks wonderful. I agree, living in the Middle East, I’ve seen turn overs filled with all kinds of things. Great guest post, Nami!
Great guest post! I like such easy and delicious things! 🙂
Beautifully done! I think you’re someone I’d love to have lunch with. =) Gorgeous setting for a gorgeous meal.
Love the spinach and feta combo! I have had some questions related to puff pastry and I didn’t know who to ask.. Thank you for introducing us to Katherine, I hope I can get my answers from her 🙂
Thanks Zee!! I am happy to try to answer any of your puff pastry questions 🙂 Feel free to shoot me an email at katherine@katherinemartinelli.com!
Congratulations on your book and thanks for sharing your recipe. I’m a bit puff pastry challenged, however your recipe is enough to get me out of the gate. Thank you Nami for inviting Katherine.
ooh spinach and feta. my favourite. That sounds really good!
I just purchased Katherine’s book for my Kindle, first cook book purchase for Kindle.
Thank you so much Jane!! I am thrilled to hear it and I really hope you enjoy the book 😀
These look so yummy. Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. I love the flavor combo of these turnovers- classic!
Yum! These turnovers looks scrumptious. Bookmarked!
Really beautiful spinach and feta turnovers! Congratulations Katherine on the book!! Well done!
Thanks Nami for introducing me to a great blogger. 🙂
Great guest post & these turnovers look amazing!
How could someone NOT buy your cookbook after seeing these! These sounds a lot like spanakopita which I absolutely love, so I can’t imagine having any leftovers from one batch! These look scrumptious!
What a fabulous recipe and a lovely guest post from Katherine. How exciting for her to have published an e-cookbook! Thank you for sharing these mouthwatering spinach turnovers, ladies. This is a fabulous post!
Hi Nami, this is a wonderful guest post I love Katherines blog, she always has something delicious going on. Katherine these turnovers are one of my favorites and I wish mine came out of the oven looking as pretty as yours do. Congrats on your e-book that is so cool. Hope you both have a lovely dy.
The turnovers look terrific. It’s spinach season now so they are a great seasonal snack idea and I think I have already tasted feta with spinach and enjoyed this combination a lot. A Lebanese friend once made me taste zaatar on flat bread with some oil. It was delicious. I must try to see if I can buy it here. Wonderful post, Katherine! I’m very happy to meet you!
Congrats sweetie! I am so glad you published a ebook! Katherine, your dish look fantastic, I love this combination!!!!
Nami, I love your pick of a guest blogger! I enjoyed reading it very much, and drool over her food!!:))
Have a lovely day!!!
These look super yummy! I would love to try them out! =] xoxo
Hello, Katherine.
Love spinach turnovers whether they’re made with puff pastry or phyllo and the za’atar is great on flatbreads breads or on roast chicken so I imagine it would add a lot of flavour to these as well.
Katherine, I am drooling over those triangles. I just wish they could magically appear on my plate instead of just on my computer screen 😉
Wonderful guest post, Nami..spinach and feta can never go wrong..
Hi Nami,
It’s great to see Katherine doing a guest post on your blog. I love her presentation, style and recipes. These turnovers looks great. No stress with the ready to use puff pastry.
Have a wonderful trip Nami.
So glad to see Katherine guest posting here on your blog Nami! She does have some amazing talent for many different cuisines. The turnovers do look delicious, especially after seeing the filling ingredients. Delicious post!
Congrats Katherine on your cookbook! These turnovers look awesome. I also love to use puff pastry. So versatile!
thsank you for a freat recipe. i forgot how much i love fetas cheese have not used it for years. have been eating thai food i make and bbq also,
best wishes
alan
I love you both, and I love these turnovers!
Good job Katherine!
Hugs Nami!
Anything with spinach plus feta is my kind of snack! And, I have puff pastry in the freezer – lucky me!
Congrats on your cookbook, Katherine 🙂 Your turnovers look delish 🙂
Hi Nami,
This is looking so delightful and appetizing. A very well made post with beautiful pictures. Loved anything with spinach and its looking wonderful. Have a wonderful week ahead. Thanks & Regards, Sonia !!!
This is such a great combination of flavors. And the pastry looks amazing! Thanks for a great post, Katherine and Nami!
What a great idea for a cookbook–and I love the ease and versatility of puff pastry! Katherine, congratulations on your cookbook.
Katherine, I didn’t know you had a cookbook! That is awesome and what a great idea for a cookbook to boot! This recipe looks outstanding.
Hi Nami! Something for you is waiting on my blog http://www.italianinthemidwest.com/2012/03/burger-bun.html
Great to see you teamed up with Katherine!
I recently have been learning how amazing and versatile puff pastry is- what a great idea!
This recipe looks amazing! Puff pastry is amazing…what a great idea for a cookbook!
Your recipe sounds good.
If you cooked the spinach dry in the skillet first, then squeezed it, then chopped it, then heated it briefly with the sauteed onion, do you think you could avoid having to squeeze it after adding the lemon juice and egg yolk?
Thank you Faye! That’s a great idea. I tried a quite a few methods before settling on the somewhat odd but very effective squeeze *after* adding liquids method, but will have to give this a go next time! Perhaps it will end up in the next edition 🙂
Thanks, Katherine. I’m looking forward to seeing a copy of your book.
I haven’t played with puff pastry for years — it’s time again, don’t you think? Nice thorough instructions, interesting ingredients — sounds terrific. I love the combo of spinach and feta; bet I’d like this! Thanks for a great post.
Hi Nami, like Katherine I always keep a few sheets of puff pastry on hand. It’s so versatile and a breeze to work with. Congrats to Katherine for publishing her new book!
These look stunning and I’m a huge fan of Katherine’s blog…..puff pastry rocks!
Wonderful guest post! Puff pastry is so versatile, and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t rave about a dish when it includes this delicious pastry.
Oh wow, I love the combination of feta and spinach, not to mention puff pastry!
Great guest post, congrats on your book. I have never actually cooked with prepared puff pastry, or any puff pastry for that matter 🙂
Great to see you Katherine on Nami’s blog. Congrats on releasing your book. These spinach and fetta triangles look like the perfect snack. I’m sure I’d find it hard to stop at just one!
The only trouble with making these would be nothing will be left for others by the time I am done making it. Absolutely yummy.
This is a perfect snack! look so tempting!
those triangles look amazing for parties!!!
So nice to see Katherine here! And congratulations Katherine on your book! These sound terrific.
I can’t wait to see Katherine’s book! I just have to get finished with mine and then I can devour hers! 😀
Its great to see Katherine over here!
@K: Congratulations on your book! These turn overs sound fantastic.
Katherine, I couldn’t agree more with you about Nami. Great friend and one of these days, I’m going to ensure I meet her in person! Congratulations on your e-book: it looks stunning, as do your turnovers. Living in Israel must be so exotic. I would never thought of eating these yummies for breakfast. But why not? Fabulous.
Lovely guest post. Those turnovers look delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
What a wonderful guest post, Nami! I always enjoy Katherine’s writing and recipes and these turnovers look especially delicious.
So nice to see you on Nami’s site Katherine! I love the flavors in this – spinach and feta is a winner combo for sure!
Nice guest post…just came from Katherine 🙂
Hope you are having a wonderful week Nami!
Katherine, what a great recipe! I like using puff pastry, so thank you for the inspiration for something else to make with it. Your turnovers look fabulous!
Hey, this looks just gorgeous. I bought Zatar the other day use in my mutton recipe.
I love spinach and feta, it’s such a delicious classic combination, and these look fantastic. It’s so wonderful to see Katherine here on your blog as I am fan of Katherine’s work. Congratulation on the launch of your cookbook Katherine!
Hi Nami and Katherine,
I love having a box of puff pastry in the freezer, I like the fact this is a savory recipe though. What a fun idea for a book. I love it how we have blogging friends who really should be our neighbors, huh.
-Gina-
Good to see you here Katherine. Congrats on your ebook! I wish you much success with it. This spinach and feta turnovers sound delicious. They would make a wonderful snack or lunch.
Nami, great guest post! 🙂
Absolutely amazing. I love this combo, and this guest post is gorgeous.
Two of my favorite bloggers together… what can I ask more?!
These turnovers are delicious.. I love the combination between feta and spinach (and I love both separately :P)!
Congratulations on your first book! I love za’atar seasoning especially knowing that it’s topping puff pastry filled with spinach and feta! You said you make them in advance – do you freeze them? And if so, how do you reheat?
Thank you!! Yes, I bake them as directed and then freeze them flat on a baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container. When I want one I just pop it in a pre-heated oven or toaster oven for about 10-15 minutes.
My favorite combination of ingredients! Whenever I go out for a savory crepe, I have a spinach and feta one. This one is where I want to be
I love these turnovers! Kind of like spanakopita, which I really love!
Nice to meet you, Katherine! Congratulations on your first cookbook and I hope more cookbooks to come. Thank you for sharing this wonderful and delicious looking turnovers and I want to thank Nami for having you as her guest.
~ ray ~
It’s so nice seeing you here on Nami’s blog, Katherine. Feta and spinach is a combination you find quite often in the ‘Ottoman’ cuisine and with a reason: It works so well together!
Funny how you mentioned bourekas. As my first thought when I saw your turnovers was “Börek!” which is the Turkish word for bourekas, basically. I love them and as Turkish cuisine is widespread in Germany, you could buy Böreks in my old school during recess.
Cheers and thanks for sharing,
Tobias
What a beautiful dish – I always think spinach and feta are two things which just always “click together” so perfectly!
So wonderful to find Katherine here…with one of her amazing puff pastry dishes. I just made her cinnamon buns…so yummy! And I’d love these turnovers, too 🙂 Great post by two of my favorite bloggers~
Puff is such a wonderful thing. Great with sweet or savoury – even the off cuts to have on their own 😉 haha naughty
Thanks Nami for introducing us to Katherine 🙂 I can’t wait to check out her blog too ~ I think spinach and feta go so well with each other ~ I really like how easy this recipe is too can’t wait to give it a go sometime 😀
These look lovely. I’m a sucker for things like this at breakfast time. I think anyone would feel special if they were served a plate of these!
Lovely guest post! So nice to see blog friends unity 🙂
Katherine, congrats on your book! I can’t wait to read it!!
Great guest post! These turnovers look amazing. Yum!
Hi Katherine, nice to meet you 🙂 These turnovers look delightful, and sounds like a great book! Will check it out 🙂
My favourite pies ever. I mean as middle eastern, I grow up on such food, but our traditional spinach pie made with the yeast dough. It’s good to try it with puff pastry, it looks like the greek spinach pie, thanks for sharing.
Delicious! They are a staple in our home now! Tasty and so great to have as a snack at home or on the go! Thanks for sharing this! Looking forward to checking out Katherine’s website!
Wonderful! Thanks so much for your kind feedback!