She Strengthens

Impress Your Guests with This Easy Bulgarian Banitsa Recipe

Are you looking for a show-stopping dish to serve at your next gathering? Look no further than this simple yet impressive Bulgarian Banitsa recipe. A twist on the traditional Greek spinach pie, spanakopita, this banitsa recipe layers all the ingredients on a single baking sheet, making it a breeze to prepare.

A Delicious Spin on a Classic

Instead of shaping and folding individual pies, this recipe uses a single baking sheet to create a stunning and flavorful banitsa. The combination of spinach, feta cheese, and egg is mixed together and layered between buttered sheets of phyllo dough, creating a crispy and golden crust.

What You’ll Need

• 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen spinach, thawed
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 8 ounces Greek feta
• 6 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 pounds phyllo sheets (12 by 17 inches), thawed in the refrigerator
• Pastry brush

Preparation Made Easy

To start, preheat your oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Next, squeeze out as much liquid from the spinach as possible to prevent sogginess. Melt the butter and margarine in a small saucepan over low heat and set aside.

Building the Banitsa

Rinse the feta under cold water, cut it into small dice, and mash it lightly with the back of a fork to crumble it further. Add it to the bowl of spinach, along with the eggs, and stir to combine.

Assembling the Phyllo

Place the phyllo on a work surface and brush the entire surface of a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with the reserved butter mixture. Working quickly, gently slide 2 sheets onto the baking sheet, drizzle with a tablespoon of the butter mixture, and repeat until you have 6 layers of phyllo.

Adding the Spinach Mixture

Spread half of the spinach mixture evenly over the phyllo, cover with 2 more sheets of phyllo, and drizzle with a tablespoon of the butter mixture. Repeat until you have 4 layers of phyllo. Spread the remaining spinach mixture evenly over the phyllo, cover with 2 more sheets of phyllo, and drizzle with a tablespoon of the butter mixture.

The Final Touches

Evenly brush the entire surface of the top layer with the remaining butter mixture, pushing the edges down slightly to seal. Bake for 15 minutes, then check the banitsa. If the top is golden brown, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and continue baking until puffed, flaky, and golden brown, about 15 to 30 minutes more.

Serve and Enjoy

Remove the baking sheet to a wire rack and cool slightly before cutting and serving. Your guests will be impressed by the flavors and presentation of this easy Bulgarian Banitsa recipe.