 |
| Hunza Pie |
I can't believe this recipe is not already here. It's such a stable, I assumed it had long ago joined the Billie Bites collection.
Searching it for the other day to remind myself of the quantities, I discovered the poor hunza pie had been overlooked.
This is reminiscent of my very popular Spinach Torte - definitely an established part of the Billie Bites scenery. The key differences are: The Hunza has pastry, silver beet, brown rice and cheddar. The Torte has arborio rice, Parmesan and no pastry.
Great straight from the oven. Best after it's cooled a little. Tasty cold the next day. Especially outside on a park bench overlooking the ocean.
This is adapted from a recipe by Steve Manfredi, published in the Sydney Morning Herald.
HUNZA PIE220g wholemeal flour
110g cold salted butter
cold water
1/2 cup brown rice
Bunch silver beet
butter
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
salt and pepper
nutmeg
Place rice in small pot with 1 cup water. Bring to boil with lid on and then turn right down. Simmer until water absorbed - takes about 30 minutes total. Don't stir at all while cooking. Instead tip pot on angle to see how much water is left. Once done tip into large bowl to cool.
Meanwhile, make the pastry. If you have a food processor, place flour in food processor and drop lumps of butter in one at a time while pulsing. Once the mixture looks crumbly, gradually add a tablespoon or three of water while processing, until the mixture forms a ball. If sans food processor, simply place flour and butter in bowl and use a knife to combine. Add the water gradually and finally use hands to knead into a ball. Wrap in cling film and place in fridge for 20-30 mins.
Preheat oven to medium high.
Wash silver beet - keeping most of the stems. Place a chunk of butter in a large pot with the silver beet. Cook over medium-high heat for about five minutes. Shake the pot regularly and stir occasionally. Once fairly well wilted remove and cool on chopping board, before slicing up and adding to rice.
Roll out pastry on a floured bench and use it to line a well-greased flan tin. I use a ceramic one. Any pie dish will do though. Prick centre with a fork and place in oven to lightly cook the pastry shell - about ten minutes is enough.
Combine eggs and cheese with rice and silver beet. Salt and pepper to taste. Add grated nutmeg - a few pinches.
Pour into pastry shell and bake for about 25 minutes, until cooked through and crispy on top.
