Money Bags Florentine

JFI - I have closely watched this event every month. The talent of the cooks, their ingenuity in using the ingredient in an exotic ooh-aah dish or in a simple and wholesome one has astonished me. So, the first thing I wanted to do after I started my own food blog was to participate in JFI.

I chose spinach for this month’s JFI – Going Green, and Money Bags Florentine is my entry. But why this name? Go on, read ahead.

Catherine de' Medici, the Queen of France, had her cooks prepare spinach in a particular way that she liked. Since these cooks were from Florence, Italy, her home town, any dish with spinach as the key ingredient was referred to as Florentine.

And, since the end product looks like a money bag that people used to carry in old days, I dubbed my recipe as “Money Bags Florentine” - served with lemon aioli.

Money Bags

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Ingredients

Fresh spinach leaves – 1 cup
Red pepper, roasted and seeded – 1
Fennel seeds – 1 tsp
Almonds, toasted and chopped – few
Phyllo pastry sheets
Bread crumbs (optional)
Oil
Salt
Pepper

Method

Pulse all of the above ingredients in a food processor. The spinach and the pepper should still be chunky. Add breadcrumbs if the mixture is watery.

Working with 1 phyllo sheet at a time, cut two 7 inch squares and two 2 inch squares. Brush one of the large piece with oil and place the other large piece at 900 angle to form a star shape. Place one of the smaller square in the center of the star shape and brush with oil. Follow with the second smaller piece. The smaller squares give the pocket a base to sit.

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Top with a tsp of spinach + red pepper mixture. Bring the edge of the phyllo sheets together to form a purse. Twist and seal.

Place on a greased baking sheet and bake in a 3750 for 25 – 30 mins, until crisp and golden brown.

I have chosen not to add to cheese as I am serving them with creamy aioli. But if you want to serve them as such, by all means, add any soft cheese like ricotta, gorgonzola, cream cheese or mascarpone.

Garlic Aioli

Mayonnaise – ¼ cup
Garlic – 1 clove
Zest and juice of a lemon
Salt
Pepper

Blend all of the above ingredients smoothly and transfer to a serving bowl.

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Money bags florentine with garlic aioli.

17 comments:

Bharathy said...

Love Love Love your blog at first sight!Amazing photographic skills!Wonderful recipes!Suki....:)..dhool kelappuringa:)

Richa said...

hey first time here, liked the stuffing you used, good pics! Have you tried the red bellpepper aioli? tastes awesome.
thanks for ur recipe.

Priya said...

I would love to pile these into my bank locker ;-) You have a wonderful blog Suganya, A warm welcome to food blogging from me :-)

FH said...

Beautiful!!My stuffing is usually Feta and Spinach in Phyllo! Love the new one here.Thanks.

Suganya said...

Bharathy ... Nandri!!!

Richa, I loooove red pepper aioli with garlic toasts.

Oooh!! Someone is planning to get rich here ;-) Come home Priya.. Vl make u looooots of 'em.

I dint want to do the usual spinach + cheese combo Asha. Thats why I tried this. Happy that u like this :)

bee said...

thanks for dropping by, suganya. it's great to discover your blog. have added you to our blogroll.

Suganya said...

I have yr to mine too.. Thanks Bee..

Suganya said...

Hi,
First time to ur blog.... it is great to see ur blog...... u have alot of good stuff.........

Anonymous said...

Suganya, this is just so creative! I have never worked with phyllo as I am always afraid I will tear it. Which is why I have always put off making baklava. But now I don't thinkI can resist any more!

A super super treat from you! Thank you!

Sharmi said...

that sure is a mind blowing entry. congrats for the JFI. pic looks amazing.

Suganya said...

Thanks Sukanya!

Manisha, All u need to work with phyllo dough is patience. Keep them covered by a damp towel and they will definitely co-operate.

Thanks Sharmi!

Chinni said...

First time to ur blog.Nice recipe..

Kribha said...

Absolutely loved the picture. I always love the combo of spinach and phyllo. Will try it for sure.
You are a great photographer. I'm literally drooling over your pic.

Seena said...

Suganya,
Can't see pictures here, think you are using flickr. read from others the photoes are nice..

Suganya said...

I am able to view the pictures frm my machine Seena. I think yr firewall is acting up.

Anonymous said...

Hi Suganya!!

Tried making it but the phyllo sheets would break up.. :(
Pls tell me how to go about with the phyllo sheets..

Suganya said...

Nivedhita, Working with phyllo requires some patience. Also, you need to keep rest of the sheets covered, while you are making the money bags. They easily dry up and tend to break. So, unroll the sheets, place 'em on a baking sheet (or a big plate), and cover with a moist (not damp) towel. Take the sheets you want and promptly cover the rest.

I hope this helps. Let me know.

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