Minced meat and leeks pie

This recipe has been given to me by a very dear and close  friend of mine, I shouldn’t say friend,she’s more like family to me.  She  has moved to another country with her family and each time I prepare this dish, I recapture all the moments we shared together.  At times my eyes do get watery but I hold back because I know her life is a lot better now .  I thank her and dedicate this post to her.

The ingredients for this dish are :

2 – 3 big leeks

1 pound chop meat

1 medium onion

1 medium tomato

2 garlic cloves

salt and pepper to taste

and if you like ( nutmeg and cloves ) a pinch of each

1 box of pastry puff ( phyllo) ( preferably the thin sheets )  if not use the regular pastry puff

1/3 cup of olive oil

1-2 tablespoons of butter

      

                                                                                                                                                      Once you have chopped up all ingredients you place them in the skillet you add 1/3 cup of olive oil

and saute for about 10 minutes then you add your minced meat add 1/2  a teaspoon of oregano and saute until meat is brown.

When meat is brown cover and cook for about 30 minutes, regular heat.

                                                                                                                                                     It is cooked when it starts to thicken,when ready set aside and let it cool for about 15 min.

Butter your  pan so the pastry puff ( phyllo ) will not stick to the bottom.

   

The phyllo package should have. about 10 -12 sheets of phyllo. You separate them in half the half that you will not use you will cover them with a towel so they will not dry and brake. Each phyllo that you place in your pan you will have to brush each one with butter before you lay one on to of the other.   

Once you have placed all the phyllo sheets in your pan add the meat. Then cover the pan with the remaining phyllo sheets. In some of your pans the phyllo sheet hangs too much over the pan. Cut it but not too much so you can roll a little bit into a crust as shown above. To create the crust,you turn the phyllo inward and slowly turning the pan and slowly your crust will form. Before placing the pie  in the oven dash some olive oil for color.

Cook for 30 – 45 minutes at 350 Fahrenheit

When you finish with your pie you will have leftover bits of phyllo. This is what I do, I place it in aluminum foil, I add honey, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon and bake for about 15 minutes and you will have a nice cruncy sweet. My kids,hubby and I go crazy for this quick phyllo sweet. Nothing goes to waste !

Another dish from my table to yours. If you have any questions feel free to contact me

 

Carbonara – A family favorite

Sun washed beaches, emerald waters and eating  a plate of Carbonara in Paleocastritsa, ahh the carefree days of summer ’94. I present to you my family’s favorite dish and a picture of this magical place, my father’s hometown, where I learned how to cook Carbonara !  I feel so young when I prepare this dish and I have my cousin to thank for. My family’s favorite and I’m sure if you love pasta you will love this dish !! From my table to yours.

Serenity !

Paradise !

The ingredients you will need :

skillet

wooden ladle

1 pound of spaghetti ( Linguine could also be used )

1 regular sized onion

1 whole egg

2 1/2 pints of creamed milk

butter for saute

10 slices of ham

10 slices of bacon

4 0z of sliced mushrooms ( fresh ones coould be used but have to be cleaned and sauted )

2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese

Salt & pepper to taste

 

First dice onions and place in skillet with 1 tablespoon of butter

 

Diced onions in skillet,saute for 5 minutes

 

Dice the bacon  add in skillet saute for another five minutes.

Cut 10 slices of ham in cubes and add in skillet, add mushrooms saute with butter for another 10 minutes

 

While on stove add one whole egg and stir everything together until egg is cooked thoroughly.

If you would like you could add extra butter.

Now it’s ready add salt and pepper to taste.

Have your  spaghetti boiled, drained and ready in a separate  pot add  all ingredients stir well, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of  Parmesan cheese , pour your creamed milk, salt and pepper to taste stir very well  and serve.   It’s really easy to make takes about 30 minutes and serves  about  6 people. As we say in Greek, KALE OREXI -meaning have a god appetite 🙂