How to Make Hortopita

Aggeliki Bakali, a home cook in the central Greek village of Pertouli, makes this savory pie of greens, herbs, and feta from a family recipe. Feel free to replace her homemade phyllo with the store-bought variety (see Phyllo Finds) and make the pie in a 9″ x 13″ rectangular baking dish. See the recipe for hortopita »

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, 1½ tsp. salt, and sugar. Make a well in center; pour in 2 tbsp. oil, soda, vodka, and vinegar. Stir to make a dough. Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth. Divide into 6 balls. Cover dough balls with a damp tea towel; let rest 30 minutes. Start to roll out a dough ball using a thin rod or dowel.

2. Continue rolling dough, occasionally stretching it across the dowel, and turning it 90° after each roll, to create a 14" phyllo circle about 1/16" thick.

3. Grease a 12" cake pan with 2 tbsp. oil. Transfer phyllo circle to pan; let edges hang over; brush with 2 tbsp. oil. Roll second dough sheet to match first; lay it on top of first sheet. Brush with 2 tbsp. oil. (Alternatively, cut store-bought phyllo into two 11" x 15" sheets; layer them in a 9" x 13" baking dish, brushing each with oil.)

4. Heat ½ cup oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add scallions and garlic; cook until soft, 3-4 minutes. Add chard and herbs; cook, stirring, until tender, 12–15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; cool. Stir in feta. Spread a third of the greens in pan.

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5. Heat oven to 400°. Roll out two more dough balls into 12" circles about 1/16" thick (or cut 4 store-bought phyllo sheets into 9" x 13" rectangles). Transfer to baking sheets; bake until golden, 4-6 minutes. Cool. Place 1 baked phyllo sheet (or 2 store-bought sheets) on top of greens; cover with half the remaining greens. Top with remaining sheet(s) and greens.

6. Roll 2 remaining balls into 12" circles about 1/16" thick (or cut 2 store-bought phyllo sheets into 9" x 13" rectangles). Cover greens with 1 phyllo sheet; brush with 2 tbsp. oil and score pie to vent. Top with remaining phyllo; fold phyllo hanging over edges onto top of pie; brush with 1 tbsp. oil. Bake 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° bake until golden brown, 18-20 minutes. Let cool slightly.