Mediterranean Pie Food

MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLE PIE

Steps:

• Place eggplant slices between several thickness of paper toweling; sprinkle with 1 teaspoons salt.
• Weigh down with something flat and heavy; let stand 30 minutes.
• Cut into 1/4 inch cubes.
• Heat 1/4 Cup oil in a large skillet.
• Add eggplant all at once.
• Quickly toss to coat.
• Cook, stirring constantly until tender (about 5 minutes); remove to large bowl.
• Pour remaining oil into skillet, add onion, green pepper, zucchini, and garlic.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until tender (about 5 minutes).
• Set aside.
• Combine oregano, basil, remaining salt, and pepper in measuring cup.
• Set aside.
• Prepare crust according to directions for a 2 crust pie.
• Divide dough into 2 balls, 1 slightly larger than the other.
• roll out larger into 12 inch circle; fit into 10 inch pie plate.
• Trim overhang to 1/2 inch.
• Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons of Parmesan.
• Spoon half eggplant into pie plate; then half vegetables; sprinkle with half of herbs mixture, 1 tablespoons parmesan and half mozzarella.
• Repeat, reserving 1 tablespoons parmesan.
• Roll out remaining pastry; cut into 1/2 inch strips; arrange lattice fashion over pie; trim to within 1/2 inch of plate; turn edges under; flute.
• Brush lattice strips with water; sprinkle with remaining parmesan.
• Bake at 425 degrees F.
• for 25 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and pie just begins to bubble.
• Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

MEDITERRANEAN PIE

Steps:

• Melt butter in skillet over medium heat; cook peppers, onions & garlic for about 12 minutes or until all liquid evaporates.
• Remove from heat & stir in spinach; set aside.
• Roll each piece of pastry to 1/8 inch thickness; use 1 piece to line a 10 inch springform pan, leaving excess draped over sides.
• Layer half the ham slices in the bottom, sprinkle half the cheese, spread half the veggies followed by the eggs.
• Repeat these layers.
• Cover with remaining pastry, trim off edges & pinch layers together; cut steam vents in the top & brush with egg glaze.
• Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet in the centre of a preheated 400F oven for 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 350F and bake for an additional 45 to 60 minutes or until top is golden & knife inserted in centre is hot when pulled out.
• Let cool for 15 minutes; remove pan sides & cut into wedges.

MEDITERRANEAN MEAT PIES (SFEEHA)

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the ground beef and ground lamb, chopped onion, pine nuts, cinnamon, and salt and black pepper. Cook and stir until the meat is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease.
• Stir in the lemon juice; taste and adjust the seasonings, and let the meat mixture cool.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
• Roll out the thawed pastry sheets to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a sharp 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut out at least 9 rounds per sheet. Lightly brush the inside edges with a little water, and place about 2 teaspoons of filling into the middle of each round. Fold the pastry round in half to cover the filling and seal the edges well. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining dough circles.
• Brush each pie with a little egg wash. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

MEDITERRANEAN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Toss the squash with salt and pepper and 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Arrange it in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast until the squash is very soft, about 50 minutes. Stir occasionally. Let the squash cool and purée it in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and set aside.
• Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until soft. Add the greens and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, chickpeas, walnuts, and anchovies. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Decrease the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Transfer the chickpea mixture to a 10-inch round glass baking dish, and spread the squash purée evenly over the top. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the squash in a thin layer, then drizzle with the 1 remaining tablespoon olive oil. Bake until the bread crumbs are lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.
• To make the gremolata, combine the parsley, zest, and smashed garlic clove in a food processor, and grind to a coarse meal. Set aside in a small dish. Serve the pie in slices with the gremolata scattered on top.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a hot skillet, add oil and chicken and sautee for several minutes, until chicken is mostly white. Add artichokes and seasoning, mashing with a wodden spoon to combine. Add dates and mash the mixture together for even distribution. Remove from heat. Combine prepped cheeses into the filling.
• Lay out phyllo dough 3 layers thick and put half the filling in the center. Bring ends together and press all sides in until sealed into a pouch. Flip over and placed on a lightly greased cooking sheet. Repeat the filling step with the other 3 sheets of dough, then brush the pies with eggwash until coated. Bake for 20 minutes, until pies are golden brown.
• For appetizers, follow all the same steps except divide the filling into 6 portions and cut the dough into thirds. Then fill smaller pies with the same method.