Leek & Mushroom Pie
Leek & Mushroom Pie
The aroma of freshly baked pies is tantalizing on a cold, windy evening. Here is an extremely simple recipe of Leek and mushroom pie or 'Quiche aux poireaux et champignons'. Why leek and mushrooms ? Autumn being the season for mushrooms, they are readily available everywhere. The soft tastes of mushrooms and leeks blend well with the crustiness of pastry shell.
It can be used as a starter or a main dish. Serves 6.
What will you need:
- 3 cups chopped Leek
- 2 cups chopped button mushrooms blanched Green peas
- 1 medium sized chopped Onions (optional)
- 3 eggs/ replacement of eggs*
- Fresh cream- 3 tablespoons
- Vegetable Oil for frying
- Salt to taste
- Provincial herbs (oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil etc.)
- Cheese- grated/ chunks of bleu cheese (optional)
- 1unbaked pastry shell (roughly 24 cms in diameter)
Directions to follow:
- Spread the unbaked pastry shell in a mould. Pick it with a fork in various places. Replace in the refrigerator 15 minutes before baking.
- Heat oil in a frying pan.
- Add chopped onions. Shallow fry till golden brown.
- Add leek and fry for 3 minutes till soft and transluscent.
- Add chopped mushrooms and leave for about 2 minutes. Stir from time to time.
- Allow the vegetable juices to evaporate.
- Beat the eggs.
- Add the vegetables and fresh cream.
- Sprinkle the salt and herbs. Mix well.
- Pre-heat the oven to 210° C
- Add the vegetable mixture to the pastry shell. Add the cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Trivia:
- * Egg replacement can be effectively done by the use of Silken Tofu (available in specialized or Chinese stores). One can also use soya yogurt/ tomato puree/ cornflour mixed with water/ mashed potatoes/ moistened bread crumbs as a binding agent instead of eggs. Another suggestion is the use of mashed banana (for desserts alone) where banana won't stand out strangely for its taste. Half a mashed banana is equivalent to one egg.**
- I like to add bleu cheese for its unique taste which some people may find strong. I have routinely used chunks of just about any available cheese and it works well.
French Equivalents:
English | French |
Leeks Button Mushrooms Onions Eggs Fresh cream Vegetable Oil Salt Provincial herbs Cheese Pastry Shell | Poireaux Champignons de Paris Oignons Oeufs Crème fraiche Huile végétale du Sel Herbes de provence Fromage Pâte feuilleté |
Chop Stir Stir fry Bake | couper remuer faire revenir cuire au four |
| Silken Tofu Soya yogurt Tomato Puree Cornflour mixed with water Mashed potatoes Moistened bread crumbs Mashed banana | Tofu Soyeux Yaourt au Soja purée de tomates maîzena purée de pomme de terre chapelure compote de banane |
Bon Appetit!