I have made no secret of my love for Middle Eastern cuisine. It is food that excites and uses some of the best ingredients out there. I was recently at Fes Turkish BBQ and while Germany has no shortage of Turkish delis it was a welcome surprise to be able to eat out at somewhere other than a kebab shop. And don’t get me wrong, I am not one to turn my nose up at a kebab! Many nights have been rescued with a late night stop off for a kebab….
filo pastry
Chicken, Leek and Mushroom Pie
Seeing as it is British Pie Week it seems only right that I blog a new pie recipe. What can be more British? Stodgy fillings topped with crumbly pastry can often resemble a bit of a mess when plated. It is no wonder that traditional British food gets a bit of a bad reputation. But there is nothing humble about a pie! If anything, it is a real cornerstone of British cuisine and is what brings families and friends together over a delicious and hearty meal. And it is no secret that the British take their pies seriously!…
Spanakopita (Feta and Spinach Filo Pie)
It is no secret that the Greeks love their pies and spanakopita is probably the most known and popular of them all. Pies are a greek tradition that vary from sweet to savoury fillings and with crumbly shortcrust pastry or flaky filo toppings. While I love buttery puff pastry or soft, chewy shortcrust I do prefer filo pastry as it feels a bit lighter and has a more crisp texture. It also holds it’s shape and texture a lot better when eaten cold the next day compared to puff pastry that naturally loses it’s … puff and becomes a bit soggy. A spanakopita uses the favourite filo pastry and is basically feta and spinach. I add pine nuts and both crème fraîche and greek yoghurt to give the filling that sharp, salty kick to it….