SUPER RECIPE: The Not So Humble Pie

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apple-pie-283px Being an inveterate experimenter, over the years have found many ways of presenting the ubiquitous pie. Here are just a few of them including a sugar-free apple pie.

Pie Plates

You can use any size pie or quiche plate, 3 or more small ones, or a medium or large one as desired. Sometimes I use my ordinary enamel pie dish (both for pie case, and later filling) if I want a deep pie. It works the same as others, but needs a little longer cooking.

They keep well in the refrigerator, and are even tastier the following day for leftover lunch.

Pie Cases

Potato Pie Base

Add organic flour to cool mashed potato, roll out ( add optional chopped herbs).

Pile in a cooked vegetable filling and top with extra potato and flour.

Bake until crisp.

Potato Pie (without flour)

Prepare cases from plain cooked mashed potato, without flour.

For a savoury case, add any of the following to the mashed potato:

Finely cut onion or chives.

Herbs, dried or fresh - marjoram, thyme, lemon balm, rosemary, any of the mints, garlic (cut or finely crushed)

Small amounts of mashed cooked lentils, rice, pumpkin, fresh or cooked corn, or any grain or seed.

Mix the original cooked mashed potato with whatever you wish to add. Very lightly oil or butter the pie plate.

Pat in the mixture to cover the plate. Bake for about 12 minutes in oven heated to about 150C. Do not overcook.

Pie should be just lightly brown on the edges. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

Pie cases can also be made by cooking peas, dried beans of any kind, corn or pumpkin - mash add herbs and seasoning and cook as for mashed potato case.

Fillings

Basic filling 2-3 cups each of cooked millet / quinoa / rice / grain of choice and diced cooked vegetables.

Vegetables can include what you are growing in the vegetable patch or seasonal organic local vegetables - carrot, diced corgettes /zucchini, pumpkin, choko, sweet potato, corn, cabbage (shreddded finely), cauliflower, broccoli, beans, onions, peas - the list is endless. Steam or saute vegetables, cut into small pieces or dice. When cool put into bowl with cooked grain of choice. You could add some shredded cheese if desired. Can substitute cooked grain for cooked dried beans or cooked spaghetti, pasta, corn, a little asparagus and peas. Beat well 2-3 eggs with seasoning and herbs. Add grain and vegetables and stir all together. A sloppy mix is not desirable. If you arrive at 'sloppiness', thicken with arrowroot , cornmeal or mashed potato. If the mixture is too thick, add a little milk, yogurt, stock, celery juice or water.

Pour the mixture into the prepared cooled pie case and spread with fork. Sprinkle heavily with organic rice breadcrumbs. Cook with oven at 140C for first 15 minutes, then raise heat to around 200 C - no more for approx. 30 minutes. Check if ready by inserting a sharp pointed knife into the centre. The pie is cooked when the knife comes out clean.

Substitute breadcrumb topping with a top of potato mashed with a little milk. Use a hot spatula, bring the potato cover up to the centre of the pie top, making it a kind of pyramid. Draw a fork from edge to top. Sprinkle a few nut pieces, sunflower, sesame or poppy seeds. Serve pies with mushroom sauce + baked vegetables and pesto. Use vegetables of the kind which are not already in the pie mix.

Instant Pie Case Use organic pocket / pita bread. Cut and shape into pie plate. Bake for a few minutes to lightly crisp. Pile on filling eg steamed or sauteed vegetables with added liquid and thickened with arrowroot, top with cooked and blended veggie (pumpkin) Spread yogurt over top and bake. Serve with a green salad.

Lentil Pie

Cooked or canned organic lentils (or use other bean variety of choice) also tasty made with yellow split peas.

Veggies (pumpkin, sweet potato, grated carrot, onion) seasoning, fresh chopped herbs, pureed tomatoes, sliced tomato.

Saute onions in organic coconut oil and set aside.

Steam pumpkin and sweet potato, put through food processor until smooth. Add grated carrot, onions and lentils.

Place in deep pie dish, top with layer of pureed tomatoes, followed by layer of thinly sliced tomato.

Bake in moderate oven. The flavor is even better the next day for lunch.

Quick Spinach Pie

#1 Fill a baking dish with cooked spinach blended fine with yogurt. Make a hollow with back of large spoon. Break an egg into each hollow.

Bake until the eggs are firm (approx. 10 minutes).

Sprinke with optional cheese, return to oven to melt. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

#2 Can Substitute Silverbeet for Spinach

Prepare silverbeet - wash and place in saucpan covered (no need to add extra water) simmer over low heat 5 minutes.

Saute onion in organic coconut oil .

Layer silverbeet, onion, grated cheese, repeat layer. Pour over milk and seasoning, top with cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.

Impossible Pie

An easy all in together preparation... 4 organic eggs + 2 cups milk of choice + 1/2 cup flour + seasoning if desired + dash of organic coconut oil
Sweet add - honey + 1 cup coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg
Lovingly beat together for sweet version, stir in additions, pour into lightly oiled pie plate and bake until set for 35 - 40 minutes.
Savoury Creation - add any leftover additions eg onion + 1/2 cup grated cheese + chopped herbs, organic canned fish or seafood combinations, cooked chicken or sliced tomatoes, herbs, onion, asparagus, leftover cooked pasta, cheese. All your leftover veggies and cheese.We love diced cooked potato, pumpkin, spinach, sun-dried tomato and cheese.

Apple Pie

Pick apples
8 cups of apples, (peeled and sliced thinly)
Add a tablespoon of cinnamon + 1 teaspoon organic vanilla powder.
Add 3/4 cup pure organic maple syrup to the apples + 1/4 cup organic honey.
Pour over two tablespoons of organic coconut flour to the stickey apples.
In a separate bowl add 1 teaspoon of celtic salt to 3 cups of organic whole wheat flour (sift together)
Crumble in 3/4 cup of organic butter, cut into little cubes.Knead well.
Add 10 tablespoons of liquid ( water / juice / milk).
Roll the dough out and line a pie plate. Add apple and top with dough, decorate with dough cut outs if desired.
Bake for 10 minutes in a 475 degree oven; then 30 minutes at 350 F.

Wherever possible be sure to use local organic ingredients. Seasoning - organic celtic salt / Himalayan organic crystal salt. Happy pie-making - give your imagination free wings!

rice_roll_253px Healthy doesn’t have to mean uninspiring. Ecobites have a large selection of Super Food Recipes. These tasty dishes are kind to your body and a real pleasure to eat - most don't require sugar or butter. Browse our extensive range including Drinks, Starters, Exotic Fruits, Children's Recipes to Special Celebrations - all exclusively written for ecobites and superbly illustrated with photos.
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