Spinach Pastry Recipe
When we think of Spinach in Trinidad and Tobago we usually associate it bhaji. And, with it comes really local “poor people” or peasant food like bhaji rice and pigtail, rice and bhaji or as simple as sada roti or bake and bhaji. Today we’re coming out of the box and present to you a simple pastry using bhaji. Maybe this will change the minds of people and kick Spinach up a notch or two to fine dining lol!
The first time I had this I wasn’t even thinking of starting a blog back then, but strangely it stayed in my taste memory from that time on waiting patiently to be posted as a healthy recipe that all could enjoy.
As always, this recipe went through some trials before we could pinpoint the proper taste for this illustrious vegetarian meal. But then again I always believe everyone’s taste is a little different and may want to add their own flair to the dish. Do as you may and it will taste good unless you use Agooma bhaji lol. Here’s Spinach Pastry Trini Style.
SPINACH PASTRY
Pastry:
- 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp. (30 g) shortening
- 2 tbsp. (30 g) butter
- 3/4 cup cold water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Dash of salt
- Filling:
- 2 tbsp. (30 g) butter,
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 1/4 cups finely chopped spinach
- ½ tsp. Freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 tbsp. chive, finely chopped
- ½ tbsp. celery
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or to taste
- 3/4 – 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 egg, beaten
Make the Pastry:
Sift flour and salt into large bowl. Using fingertips, rub butter and shortening into flour mixture.
Using a spatula, stir in combined water and lemon juice.
Roll dough into ball, divide in half. Place in plastic wrap. Refrigerate over night.
Preparing the Spinach
Chop the spinach.
Preheat oven to about 350 degrees F.
Melt butter in medium saucepan, add onion, cook until onion is soft. Add chive, celery, nutmeg and pepper.
Stir in spinach, cook for 5 minutes. Stir well.
Stir in the cheese. Set aside, to cool.
Roll out dough on floured surface.
Using a cutter, cut rounds 5 inches in diameter.
Note: We used a Dough press to cut the rounds.
Fill pastry rounds with 1 1/2 tbsp of spinach mixture.
Seal the spinach pastry in the press or use a fork
Brush with a little egg. Bake uncovered in 350 degrees F oven 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve cool.
Well that’s how easy it is. Before I go why don’t you tell me about how your spinach pastry tasted.
Ah gone