Esfiha de Espinafre

Esfiha de Espinafre is a delicious Brazilian savory pastry filled with a flavorful spinach mixture, perfect as a snack or appetizer. These little hand-held delights are crispy on the outside and packed with nutritious greens on the inside.

Ingredients

• all-purpose flour - 250 grams
• warm water - 120 milliliters
• active dry yeast - 7 grams
• olive oil - 30 milliliters
• sugar - 5 grams
• salt - 5 grams
• spinach - 150 grams (fresh)
• ricotta cheese - 100 grams
• onion - 1 small (finely chopped)
• garlic - 1 clove (minced)
• black pepper - to taste
• nutmeg - a pinch

Steps

1. In a bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add olive oil and the yeast mixture, and knead until a smooth dough forms.
3. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
4. While the dough rises, prepare the filling. In a skillet, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic in a little olive oil until translucent.
5. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and let cool.
6. In a bowl, combine the cooked spinach mixture with ricotta cheese, black pepper, and nutmeg. Mix well.
7. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
8. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 small balls.
9. Roll each ball into a small circle about 10 cm in diameter. Place a spoonful of the spinach filling in the center of each circle.
10. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, pinching the edges to seal.
11. Place the filled esfihas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Nutrition

• Calories: 250
• Protein: 8 g
• Carbs: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Cholesterol: 15 mg
• Total Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Water: 0.15 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in iron from spinach, supports healthy blood.
• Contains protein and calcium from ricotta cheese, beneficial for bone health.

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