Mediterranean Pie

CountryLady's Note:

This is a delicious savoury pie guaranteed to impress at a special breakfast or brunch! Its a favourite of Karen Brimacombe, one of the authors of the Best of Bridge series! Its too large a large pie for just the 2 of us - so I made half the recipe this morning in a Corning baking dish; it required 60 minutes of baking time. Editted to add comments: Since it would be easier to serve from a springform pan, I recently purchased a half-sized one from Dollarama!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
• 2 sweet red peppers , diced
• 2 small onions , chopped
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen spinach , thawed & squeezed dry (I use my ricer)
• 2 (14 ounce) packages frozen puff pastry , thawed
• 12 ounces black forest ham , sliced
• 1 lb mozzarella cheese , grated
• 8 eggs , beaten & seasoned with
• salt & pepper
• 1 egg , beaten (for glaze)

Directions:

1. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat; cook peppers, onions & garlic for about 12 minutes or until all liquid evaporates.
2. Remove from heat & stir in spinach; set aside.
3. Roll each piece of pastry to 1/8 inch thickness; use 1 piece to line a 10 inch springform pan, leaving excess draped over sides.
4. Layer half the ham slices in the bottom, sprinkle half the cheese, spread half the veggies followed by the eggs.
5. Repeat these layers.
6. Cover with remaining pastry, trim off edges & pinch layers together; cut steam vents in the top & brush with egg glaze.
7. Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet in the centre of a preheated 400F oven for 15 minutes.
8. Reduce heat to 350F and bake for an additional 45 to 60 minutes or until top is golden & knife inserted in centre is hot when pulled out.
9. Let cool for 15 minutes; remove pan sides & cut into wedges.

Reviews

[Lois M]

I had the pleasure of enjoying this dish, and not having to prepare it!!! THank you CL, it was awesome, I will be making it for Christmas brunch

[Chef #595323]

This is a wonderful dish. Perfect hot or cold, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Also great for a picnic. The flavors are distinct and make this altogether a five star rated recipe.

[Elly in Canada]

CL I cannot believe I forgot to review this wonderful recipe! It was the main star of our Christmas brunch 2005! Everyone loved it! I used fresh steamed spinach, and a mixture of Swiss and mozzarella cheese, ham and Swiss cheese are great together!! I will definitely make this again! Ooooh, the presentation of this pie is beautiful!!