Valeries Italian Veggie Pie Recipes

Steps:

• For mom's flaky pie dough: Combine the flour, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until combined. Gradually add the butter chunks and pulse until the largest chunks are pea-size. Add the ice water 1 tablespoon at a time and pulse just until the dough begins to clump together against the walls of the processor. Dump the dough out onto a work surface and press together to make a cohesive ball, kneading once or twice if it is falling apart. Divide the dough in half, wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 portion of the dough for 1 hour before using. (You'll be using only 1 portion of dough for the pie, so wrap the extra piece in a second layer of plastic wrap, put in a resealable plastic bag and freeze for another time.)
• On a well-floured surface with a well-floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a 9- to 10-inch round and transfer to an 8-inch pie plate. (If the rolling pin and work surface quickly become sticky, refrigerate the dough until firm, or, using a large spatula or bench scraper, transfer the dough to an 8-inch pie plate and press it into shape.) Crimp the edges and prick the bottom all over with a fork. Refrigerate the pie shell for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Place a sheet of parchment paper or foil in the pie shell and fill with pie weights, raw rice or dried beans. Bake until the edges are lightly golden, about 15 minutes. Remove the weights and paper and bake until golden and cooked on the bottom and sides, about 15 minutes more. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
• For the pumpkin pie filling: Combine the pumpkin, cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and salt in a large bowl and whisk until thoroughly blended. Stir in the bourbon, vanilla and eggs. Whisk again until thoroughly blended.
• Pour the pumpkin mixture into the pie shell and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Bake until the center wobbles slightly when shaken, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. Cool completely on a rack for about 2 hours. Serve with Cinnamon-Buttermilk Whipped Cream.
• Add the heavy cream and buttermilk to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add the sugar and cinnamon while beating, then continue to beat until soft peaks form.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Pat the crescent roll dough into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish.
• In a large bowl, mix together the salami, mozzarella, Parmesan and eggs. Pat the mixture into the crescent roll dough.
• Bake until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large, lidded frying pan or flameproof casserole dish. Cook the aubergine, in two batches, over a high heat for 4-5 mins until golden, adding extra oil as you need to. Return all the aubergine to the pan with the garlic, tomatoes and 1 1/2 tsp oregano and cook for 1 min. Stir in the spinach, put the lid on the pan and leave for a few mins to wilt.
• Add the flour and stir through until combined. Pour in the milk, stir gently and bring to the boil. Bubble for a few mins, then stir in the cheese and season. Cook until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.
• Mix the mash with the remaining oregano and spread over the filling. Scatter over a little more grated cheese and bake for 10-15 mins until golden.