Easy Cheese Crescent

These are so easy and cheesy. If I don't have ricotta I will substitute cottage cheese.

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 425º. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Mix cheeses, egg, buttermilk and sour cream in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt until dough leaves sides of bowl. Divide dough into halves. Turn each half onto lightly floured surface; gently roll in flour to coat and shape into ball. Pat or roll each ball into a 9-inch circle.

Cut each circle into 6 wedges.

Roll up wedges, starting at wide end.

Place rolls, with points underneath, on cookie sheet; curve slightly.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack. Yield: 12

Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)

This is my favorite thing at the Greek Festival every year! Yes, I love all of the other yummy foods, but I look forward to this one every year. I found some phyllo dough at NPS/Market Square, and didn't think I had the patience for baklava, so I decided to try the spanakopita.

Ingredients:
3 T olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 lbs spinach, rinsed & chopped
1/2 c. chopped fresh parsley
*****
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 c. ricotta cheese
1 c. crumbled feta cheese
8 sheets phyllo dough
1/4 c. olive oil

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 9x9 inch square baking pan.
2.Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, green onions and garlic, until soft and lightly browned. Stir in spinach and parsley, and continue to saute until spinach is limp, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
3.In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, and feta. Stir in spinach mixture. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough in prepared baking pan, and brush lightly with olive oil. Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with olive oil, and repeat process with two more sheets of phyllo. The sheets will overlap the pan. Spread spinach and cheese mixture into pan and fold overhanging dough over filling. Brush with oil, then layer remaining 4 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with oil. Tuck overhanging dough into pan to seal filling.
4.Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Cut into squares and serve while hot.

I served the spanakopita with dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves) and a marinated olive & cheese mixture (both purchased from a grocery store antipasto bar) served over salad. My dinner guests thought everything was fantastic!