NO PIE-DEA

Teddy's one nap a day varies from non existent to 1.5 hours. Gina Ford would tut profusely, I'm sure. Today it was 1 hour, just long enough to achieve a nice batch of pies, make and eat lunch, and cry my eyes out at last night's DIY SOS in the process. These pies are quick!

Here in London we were teased with a Caribbean wind last week, but a tease it was, it's still February and winter has returned. With some winter veg in the fridge and Teddy asleep I took the opportunity to make something interesting out of what I had. Open topped veggie pies. I often get Teddy involved in the cooking where possible, so if your little one is awake, throw them a ball of pastry and get them to work with you!

So to make the pies, first put some music on, NOT DIY SOS.

Sieve out 50g of plain flour and 50g whole meal flour. (If you only have plain flour, just use 100g of that. I've not tried it with 100g of whole meal flour but I will next time and let you know.)

Add 50g of unsalted butter and pulse in the food processor until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add 3 tablespoons of water and pulse again until the pastry comes together in a ball. Take it out and roll out on a floured surface.

Cut out some circles with a cookie cutter or a glass or mug and put into a greased muffin tin.

(I greased the first muffin hole with coconut oil and got bored so used my olive oil spray......)

Pop the tray into the fridge while you make the filling. 

Sauté a chopped shallot or small wedge of chopped onion with a chopped clove of garlic. Grate in a chunk of butternut squash (skin on, don't worry) or a parsnip or small sweet potato (skin on too!)

Add a pinch of whatever you fancy, I used cinnamon and coriander, then some chopped kale or spinach or mushrooms and sauté until soft.

Bake the pastry cases for 10 mins, take out, pop any bubbles (unless you used baking beans) and spoon the veg mixture into each case. Feel free to pile up!

Whisk an egg with a splash of milk or cream and a grind of black pepper and spoon slowly into the pies. You have to go slowly otherwise it will spill out over the side of the pastry. Grate over some cheese. I used cheddar but any hard cheese or feta would be delicious.

Bake for another 5-7 minutes until the egg is set and the cheese is melted.

Take out of the tin to cool a bit and serve up when you're ready! Great cold or warm.

Is it an open pie...? A mini quiche? A tart?? No pie-dea! All teddy and I know is it is yummy.......... cheers!