Spinach Ricotta Bricks with Tomato Harissa Dip

Crispy filo bricks filled with creamy spinach and ricotta, served with a fresh tomato harissa dip. A family-friendly starter with protein and fibre.

These spinach and ricotta bricks make a lovely starter for a shared meal: golden and crunchy on the outside, soft and flavourful inside. The ricotta and spinach filling is lifted with mint, lemon zest and toasted pine nuts, while the tomato harissa dip adds a gentle kick.

Serve them warm at the beginning of dinner and let everyone dip in. With protein from the ricotta and fibre from the spinach and tomatoes, they are satisfying as well as delicious.

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What you need for 4 servings (8 bricks):

• 4 sheets filo pastry

• 250 g ricotta

• 200 g spinach

• 30 g pine nuts

• 1 handful fresh mint, finely chopped

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• Zest of ½ lemon

• Salt and black pepper

• 2 tbsp olive oil for brushing

• Sesame seeds for the top

For the dip:

• 3 tomatoes

• 1–2 tsp harissa paste.

• 1-2 tbsp olive oil.

• 1 garlic clove

• A squeeze of lemon juice.

• A little chopped mint.

• Black pepper and salt, to taste.

The recipe:

1. Toast the pine nuts in a dry frying pan.

2. Wilt the spinach in a dry frying pan, then leave it to cool. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible and chop it finely.

3. Mix the spinach with the ricotta, toasted pine nuts, mint, garlic and lemon zest. Season with black pepper and a little salt.

4. Cut each filo sheet in half to make 8 rectangles.

5. Place a spoonful of filling near one end of each rectangle. Fold the sides in, then roll the pastry over itself to create a neat brick.

6. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with sesame seeds and place seam-side down on a lined baking tray.

7. Bake at 180°C fan for 18–20 minutes, until golden and crisp.

8. In the meantime, make the dip: finely chop the tomatoes (don’t remove skin and grate with large holes of a box grater; the tomato flesh and juices will collect in the bowl while the skin stays behind). Add all other ingredients and mix well together.

9. Serve the bricks with the spicy harissa tomato dip. Squeezing the spinach thoroughly is important, as excess moisture can make the filo soggy.

The benefits:

• Supports steady energy with around 14 g protein per serving to help keep you full and satisfied.

• Rich in plant nutrients: fibre, antioxidants and healthy fats for overall wellbeing.

Per serving:

Protein: 14 g | Fibre: 4 g