Mediterranean Vegetable Pie

I love the presentation and the taste. The outside is crispy and the inside is creamy and cheesy. Try as a side dish or a vegetarian dish.

Serves 8

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces frozen phyllo pastry, thawed
  • 1 leek, wash by slicing lengthwise to the root and separating the layers to remove sand, drain
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 1 cup baby carrots, steamed until slightly tender
  • 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
  • ½ cup broccoli, coarsely chopped
  • ½ cup green beans ( I used frozen)
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 4 ounces cheese, (I used Swiss but any cheese will work)
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream (or evaporated milk)
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions:

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

    Thinly slice the leek. Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a large pan and cook the leeks, over medium heat for 5 minutes.

    Add the mushrooms and garlic cooking until fragrant. Remove from heat.

    Whisk the cream cheese, Swiss cheese, cream, eggs and seasoning together in a bowl.

    Pour cheese mixture over the vegetables and add the pine nuts.

    Melt the remaining butter. Brush the inside of a 9 inch springform cake pan with melted butter.

    Line the base and sides of the pan with 2-3 sheets of the phyllo and brush with butter.

    Continue layering the sheets, 2-3 at a time, brushing with butter until 2/3 of the sheets have been layered. Overlap the layers so that there are no gaps.

    Spoon in the vegetable mixture and fold over the excess phyllo to cover the filling. Brush the remaining phyllo sheets with butter and cut them into 1 inch strips. Cover the top of the pie with these strips, arranging them in a rough mound.

    Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown all over.

    Cool for 5 minutes, remove from pan and place on serving plate.

    Cut into wedges to serve

    Cooking Wiser Tips:
    To save calories use olive oil instead of butter to brush the phyllo dough.
    To save calories, use evaporated milk to replace the cream.

    Make this recipe your own: Add different vegetables such as peas, onions, or red bell peppers. Use almonds or other nuts to replace the pine nuts. Replace the Swiss cheese with Blue cheese or Cheddar cheese.