TRADITIONAL GREEK PIES

The best things in life are often passed down from one generation to the next and Greek recipes are living proof of that!

Pie ( pita ) is a Greek layered pastry food made with layers of buttered phyllo and filled with a cheese, mince meat, spinach, leeks, chicken etc.

Pites (Greek pies) are some of the most famous dishes. Apart from the materials used for the filling of each pie type, all the Greek pies have something in common: the ‘fillo’, a special dough composed by very thin pastry sheets. It is a dish that helped feed large families when food was scarce, and indeed many Greek pies call for just a few very basic ingredients that families almost always had on hand: a little flour and olive oil, cheese, some greens one could forage for on a moment’s notice. It is the art of creating something fantastic from nearly nothing!

There are literally hundreds of different types of pies. Some are rectangular, some coiled, some shaped like sticks, and some folded into small triangles. Some are salty, some are sweet. Every Greek region has some form of pie made from local cheese combined, possibly, with local greens. The most famous region for Greek pies is probably the Northwestern mountainous region of Epirus. Epirus has two things going for it: a whole lot of sheep, which produce a wide array of cheeses, and an amazing variety of wild greens and herbs.

Greek pies are made in a large pan ( tapsi) and cut into individual portions after baking. The individual form is sold in bakeries throughout Greece, where it is a popular breakfast and snack.

In Greece, one can find many varieties of pie.
* Kourou: Surrounded by a thick pastry.
* Sfoliata: Surrounded by puff-pastry.
* Horiatiki: Made in a large pan ( tapsi).
* Mini pies ( pitakia ): Bite-sized.
* Skopelitiki: Made in the shape of a twirl like a pastry.

 

 

•  Bourekakia- Mini cheese pies

Fluffy and super delicious mini cheese pies

 

•  Kaltsounia. Cretan mini pies

Classic, traditional and popular sweet mizithropitakia, popular delicacy for rural but also urban Crete, which the housewives made and make in many aspects of social life, and especially in the Easter celebrations with the Cretan Cheese Pies savory and sweet.
A simple yeast rolled in the machine -for easier procedure- fresh local mizithra and served with honey or powdered sugar and cinnamon.

 

•  Tyropitakia – Shortbread mini cheese pies

Tyropitakia. Greek Shortbread mini  cheese pies

 

•  Mini Greek Spanakopita

Mini Greek Vegan Spinach-Leek-Quinoa Pies .

 

•  Bougatsa – Custard filled phyllo Pastry

Bougatsa is a Greek breakfast pastry consisting of either semolina custard, cheese, or minced meat filling between layers of phyllo.
Greek bougatsa is prepared from phyllo dough wrapped around a filling. After it is baked, it is cut into serving pieces and served hot. If the filling is semolina custard, then the pastry may be lightly dusted with powdered sugar and/or cinnamon.

 

•  Bougatsa with feta

Bougatsa is a Greek breakfast pastry consisting of either semolina custard, cheese, or minced meat filling between layers of phyllo.

Greek bougatsa is prepared from phyllo dough wrapped around a filling. After it is baked, it is cut into serving pieces and served hot.

 

•  Country Style Feta & Pasta Pie

Pasta encased in buttery, flaky layers of fillo pastry – what could be better? At its simplest, this pie’s filling is made only with pasta and fetta, but we’ve added some other Greek flavours to ours. Make sure you drain the cooked pasta thoroughly – penne tends to hold a lot of liquid inside, so give it a good shake or risk a soggy pie. Serve the pie with a crisp chopped salad for a burst of freshness – cucumber, mint, cos and fennel would work well.

 

•  Kimadopita – Greek mince pie

 

•  Prasopita – Greek leek pie

Although spanakopita and tiropita are the most common, prasopita is also comparably popular. The sweetness of the leek along with the feta is a perfect combination and a nice break from the typical.

 

•  Hortopita – Greek wild greens pie

A delicious traditional  pita from Epirus

 

•  Melitzanopita – Greek eggplant pie

Melitzanopita is a delicious traditional Greek eggplant pie. If you are a fan of eggplant’s delicate flavor, you definitely need to give this a try!

 

•  Tyropita – Greek cheese pie

An easy  Greek Tyropita made with puff pastry.

 

•  Spinach & Ricotta Phyllo Pie

This spinach and ricotta pie made with filo pastry is very light at under 200 calories per slice. Ready in under an hour you can make it ahead and cook it when you need it.

 

•  Tyropita – Spiral cheese pie

Another famous Greek pie comes from Skopelos, the greenest island in the Aegean. A coiled, baked pie filled with goat cheese…deliciously rich!!

 

•  Tsouknidopita – Greek nettle pie

Tspuknidopita is Greek nettle pie with feta cheese.

 

•  Spanakopita – Greek Spinach pie

Spanakopita is a Greek savory pastry.

The traditional filling comprises chopped spinach, feta cheese, onions or scallions, egg, and seasoning.

 

•  Kotopita – Greek chicken pie

Kotopita is one of many Greek savory pies. Some contain feta, others minced meat, wild greens, zucchini, leeks or spinach.
This particular pie is made with an herbed chicken filling wrapped in a filo pastry crust.