Easter Spinach, Ricotta and Egg Pie |

Easter Spinach, Ricotta and Egg Pie

Often, if in a hurry, I will make a version of this pie using filo pastry. But every once in a while I will have the inclination and the time (and the whole it’s nearly Easter occasion) to make it - pastry and all. It is SO easy. Make the pastry in a Kitchen Aid with a dough hook and while it rests you can make the filling. Throw it all together and into the oven - simple! It is easy to take away with you too - and great to eat cold or warm................Yummy!

Ingredients

Pastry

450 g plain flour
salt
50 ml extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup warm water

Filling

2 large bunches of silverbeet around 1 kilo
olive oil
1 leek chopped
2 cloves garlic crushed
salt and pepper
1/2 bunch parsley finely chopped
7 eggs
100 g parmesan cheese
marjoram or thyme
300 g ricotta cheese

Instructions

Place the flour and salt into a stand mixer bowl with a dough hook attached
Add the olive oil and start the mixer
Slowly stream in the warm water until you get a smooth soft dough.
Allow the mixer to knead the dough for 5 minutes
Divide the dough into 6 balls, cover with a damp teatowel and set aside whilst you make the filling[br]
Wash and try the silverbeets making sure there is no grit
Roll the leaves up and slice into strips
Heat the oil in a large wok or frypan and add the leek and garlic.
Cook on a low heat until soft and translucent
Add the silver beets to the pan and slowly fold over and over to ensure all the silver beet is cooked down - around 3-4 minutes. Add parsley and season
Drain the silverbeet mixture and transfer to a large bowl - cool a little
Beat 2 eggs with salt and pepper. Pour over the silverbeats
Add the ricotta, the parmesan cheese and the marjoram or thyme leaves
Assemble the Pie
Heat the oven to 180C
Use cooking spray to lightly grease a round 28-30cm spring form cake tin.
Dust your bench with flour and roll out 1 piece of dough until it is very thin.
Carefully drape into the cake pan - allow it to hang over then edges
Use the cooking spray or brush with olive oil to gently oil the surface
Roll out another layer of pastry and place over the first
Again oil this layer of pastry
Roll out a third ball and place it on top.
Heave in the spinach mixture and flatten into the pastry case
Make 5 dips with the back of a spoon. Carefully break an egg into each little well and season with s and p
Roll out another thin sheet of dough and drape over the pie.
Brush with oil and continue to use up the balls of dough.
At the last layer pinch all the edges together and fold them over the top edge to seal the pie.
Prick gently all over with a fork and brush with more olive oil.
Bake in the oven for 1 hour.