These flavorful broccoli feta turnovers are like a bigger, heartier version of spanakopita.
These turnovers happened for a simple reason: I had a ton of broccoli, some leftover feta and a few sheets of frozen puff pastry. As I was prepping the ingredients I realized I was basically making a revamped version of spanakopita with broccoli instead of spinach and puff instead of phyllo. Not a bad thing!
These have been given the husband seal of approval so I’ll definitely make them again. They’re a tasty appetizer; great for guests. I’m not very good at kitchen math so for sanity’s sake I usually measure out my turnover recipes to make 4 per sheet of puff instead of 6.
So these turnovers are fairly large. If you want to try rolling the dough thinner and making 6 turnovers per sheet, I don’t think that will be an issue. Just cut down on the filling in each turnover. I’m going to guess 1 1/2 tablespoons of the broccoli mixture and 1/2 tablespoon of feta but you’ll need to eye it out.
I have not tested that. If you’ve never made turnovers before, stick with the larger ones. They’re easier.
Oh, and don’t throw away those puff pastry scraps. Use them to make cookies!
Broccoli Feta Turnovers
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or clarified butter
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped finely (shallots will also work)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 1/4 cups broccoli, chopped small (leave some texture)
- fresh ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup good quality feta, crumbled
- 2 sheets puff pastry
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add the shallots and salt. Cook, stirring periodically, for several minutes until the shallots are soft and lightly caramelized. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the broccoli and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the broccoli has deepened in color and softened slightly. Stir in a few twists of fresh ground black pepper. Move the mixture to a bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature (you can place it in the refrigerator to speed up the process).
- Place oven racks in the upper and lower middle positions and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll out one chilled sheet of puff pastry to approximately 12x12 inches (keep the other sheet in the refrigerator until the last second). You will want to work swiftly with the dough before it becomes too soft. Slice into 4 even pieces with a pizza cutter, bench scraper or knife.
- Place 3 tablespoons broccoli filling inside one of the squares and top with 1 tablespoon feta cheese. Fold the dough over from corner to corner into a triangle shape, gently pressing the dough against the filling. Slice off some off the excess dough from each side and then use a fork to press the edges firmly together and seal in the filling. Repeat this process with all 4 pieces of dough.
- Place the turnovers on a baking sheet and place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. Repeat the same process with the remaining sheet of puff pastry and the remainder of the filling, placing the turnovers onto the second prepared baking sheet.
- Whisk the egg together with a splash of water and a pinch of salt.
- Remove the baking sheets from the refrigerator and use a small knife to poke 3 holes in the top of each turnover. Use a pastry brush to spread a thin layer of egg wash over each turnover.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the dough is cooked through and golden brown on top.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
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tebooker says
America’s Test Kitchen
Cheryl Moulthrop says
I love the Flour and Flour, Too Cookbooks. Also swear by my old standby Good Housekeeping Illustrated
Cookbook from the late 70’s.
FAL18 says
It isn’t easy to select one cookbook as a favorite, but if i had to choose one, it would be one published quite a few years ago by the shul/temple that we belonged to in New Jersey, where people submitted their family or at least favorite recipes.
catherine knott says
Broccoli + feta + puff pastry = heaven!
huntingforjoy says
My favorite cook book, wow, that’s a really tough one. I think I might have to go with Baking Illustrated by Cook’s Illustrated Magazine Editors.
tayzzmom says
I LOVE Broccoli and I can’t wait to try these turnovers. Keeping my fingers crossed to win that lovely cookbook.
Jan Sanderson says
I LOVE all the Nordstrom cookbooks!
Miriam DesHarnais says
This is reliably good: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2369337.Mediterranean_Fresh
msps says
Favorite cookbook? Hmmm. Anything by Cooks Illustrated.
Bernadette Grullon says
Hmmm, hard to chose. At the moment though, I’m so into the Blender Girl.
I love my blender. Oh but wait, I really like Oatrageous Oatmeals, too.
My second fav.
Mary Ann says
Silver Palate and Southern Living Annuals
Sue says
I love Heidi Swanson’s Super Natural for dinners, but i must admit I start searching on the internet for fabulous desserts!
Anne says
My favorite cookbook is the one cookbook that was in my mother’s kitchen, although I don’t recall ever seeing her use it! It’s so precious that I’m afraid to use it. The cookbook I refer to the most is my Joy of Cooking; actually I have two different editions, and I love them both.
Allison (Spontaneous Tomato) says
Don’t think I could pick just one favorite, but I love “Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone” by Deborah Madison and “Pure Dessert” by Alice Medrich.
Zubayda M. says
I don’t have a favorite cookbook however I’m a big fan of ATK books/magazines.