Baklava is usually seen as an indulgence, but this recipe shows it can be enjoyed as a savoury dish – either as a family dinner, or prepared in advance for lunches throughout the working week. This also freezes incredibly well making it a convenient, delicious option for lunch or dinner.
Course Main Course
Prep Time 50 minutesminutes
Servings 4
Calories 842kcal
Ingredients
160gspring onionsfinely sliced
1tbspolive oil
900gwashed spinach leaveswilted and chopped
5banana shallotsfinely sliced
A pinch of salt
1tspcaster sugar
150gCalifornia walnutstoasted
20gfresh dillfinely chopped
1tspdried mint
½tspgrated nutmeg
2eggswhisked
Ground black pepper
60gmelted butter
9sheets of filo pastry
300gfeta cheesecrumbled
1tbsphoney
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Sauté the spring onion in a teaspoon of oil until soft. Add the spinach and sauté for a further minute, then leave aside to cool in a large bowl.2. Place the shallots into a medium-sized frying pan with the remaining olive oil, salt, and sugar and sauté over a gentle heat until slightly caramelised.3. Place the toasted California walnuts into a food processor and blitz until coarsely chopped.4. Next, add the chopped dill, dried mint, nutmeg and eggs to the large bowl with the spinach, season with ground black pepper and stir to combine. 5. Brush a 20cm x 30cm baking tray with butter and line with three layers of filo, brushing with butter in between each of the layers. Spread over half the caramelised shallots, followed by half the spinach mixture, half the feta and a third of the California walnuts. 6. Repeat the layers using the remaining fillings, reserving a third of the California walnuts. 7. Finish with a final three layers of buttered filo, trimming the final layer to fit the dish. Brush the top with butter and score, sprinkling with a little water.8. Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Sprinkle with the remaining California walnuts and drizzle with honey to serve.