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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My favorite cookbook is The Gourmet Cookbook. I used to devour the magazines when they’d arrive in the mail, and when they stopped publisng the printed version, I bought their book. It’s used frequently in my kitchen!
My favorite cookbook is the king arthur flour cookbook
Hard to say just one… Betty Crocker for some things, Joy of Cooking for others, and anything by Nava Atlas for vegetarian & vegan recipes
I have been using my Silver Palate book a lot these days! Its a good one!
I love to cook, but especially love to bake. I love cookbooks and have several on my shelves. I don’t have a favorite. I seem to use a cookbook according to the dish that I am preparing.
I love Marta stewart’s cakes cookbook. Really great recipes in there.
Picking one cookbook over another is like attempting to pick one child over another, it just can’t happen.
It’s just a light-hearted contest question…
I have a Food Network cookbook called How to Boil Water or something to that extent that I really enjoy.
Varies with the day…but lately its been Bon Appetit’s “Fast, Easy, Fresh” – loads of good reipes in there!
I love cookbooks and all of these look so lovely. Your turnovers look pretty awesome also.
I’m more of a savory girl than sweet, so I love seeing someone do a savory turnover. Why should sweet stuff get all the love. And then you put broccoli and feta in it too – a couple of my favorite flavors on the planet.
OMG I love these ingredients! Never made turnovers before but I’m going to now!
Forgot to rate with my original comment
These look so light and lovely!
These are so flakey, and the feta makes them delicious!
I love the combination of broccoli and feta. I think that needs to happen more often. They’re so perfectly matched in these crisp, light turnovers.