Moroccan Spiced Pie

Name: Moroccan Spiced Pie
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons coriander seeds; 2 teaspoons cumin seeds; 1 teaspoon paprika, plus; extra paprika, for dusting; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 5 ounces olive oil; 2 lbs winter squash, peeled and cut into small chunks (3/4-inch - 1-inch); 12 shallots, quartered; 1 inch piece gingerroot, peeled and finely chopped; 5 ounces blanched almonds; 5 ounces pistachios, shelled; 3 ounces craisins; 6 tablespoons clear honey; 8 ounces fresh spinach; 1 (14 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed; 2 whole garlic cloves; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 3 tablespoons lemon juice; 4 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped; 4 ounces butter; 8 sheets phyllo pastry; 6 lemon wedges, to serve; 7 ounces low-fat Greek yogurt; 6 tablespoons milk; 3 sprigs fresh mint leaves, chopped; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 3 teaspoons harissa

Submitted by Daydream

"This Moroccan Vegetarian pie is delicious. Perfect for a special occasion or when you want to treat your family and friends. From the BBC."

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Ready In:: 1hr 30mins
Ingredients:: 27
Serves:: 6

ingredients

2 teaspoons coriander seeds
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 teaspoon paprika, plus
extra paprika, for dusting
¹⁄₂ teaspoon ground cinnamon
5 ounces olive oil
2 lbs winter squash, peeled and cut into small chunks (3/4-inch - 1-inch)
12 shallots, quartered
1 inch piece gingerroot, peeled and finely chopped
5 ounces blanched almonds
5 ounces pistachios, shelled
3 ounces craisins
6 tablespoons clear honey
8 ounces fresh spinach
1 (14 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 whole garlic cloves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons lemon juice
4 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
4 ounces butter
8 sheets phyllo pastry
6 lemon wedges, to serve
For the Harissa yoghurt sauce
7 ounces low-fat Greek yogurt
6 tablespoons milk
3 sprigs fresh mint leaves, chopped
¹⁄₂ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3 teaspoons harissa

directions

First, make the harissa yoghurt sauce. Mix the yoghurt and the milk together to make a thin sauce. Stir in the mint and cilantro and season to taste with salt and pepper. Lightly stir in the harissa paste, and set the sauce aside.
Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).
Heat a small skillet over medium heat and dry-roast the coriander and cumin seeds, taking care not to burn them. Grind them coarsely with a mortar and pestle or an electric spice grinder, then transfer to a small bowl. Mix in the paprika, cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 4 tablespoons of the olive oil.
Place the winter squash in a roasting tin, then pour over the spiced oil and toss well to ensure each piece of squash is coated with the oil. Roast for 20 minutes in the pre-heated oven, then set aside.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a skillet, then add the shallots and cook, stirring, until they start to brown. Stir in the chopped ginger and 3 1/2 oz each of the almonds and pistachios, reserving the remainder. When the nuts are golden brown, add the craisins, 2 tablespoons of honey, and the spinach. When the spinach wilts, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the roasted winter squash. Set aside.
Process the chickpeas, garlic, cumin, the remaining oil, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of water, and salt and pepper to taste, in a processor or with a stick blender. Stir in the chopped cilantro.
Melt the butter in a small pan. Place a loose-bottomed 11 inch quiche tin on a baking sheet and brush with some butter. Keeping the phyllo covered with a damp cloth so it doesn’t dry out, lay one sheet over half of the tin so that it hangs over the edge by about 4 inches. Lay another sheet on the other side, so it overlaps the first in the centre and hangs over the opposite edge. Brush with butter. Lay two more phyllo sheets in the opposite direction in the same way and brush with more butter. Build up two more layers in this way, so there is a total of eight sheets of phyllo.
Pile half the squash mixture in the centre of the pastry. Cover with the chickpea mixture, then top with the rest of the squash mixture.
One at a time, bring the edge of each phyllo sheet up to the centre to cover the filling, creating voluptuous folds as you go. Brush carefully with more butter.
Bake the pie for 30-35 minutes, until crisp and golden. Cover loosely with foil if browning, too quickly, near the end of cooking time.
Just before the pie is ready, reheat any remaining butter, in the pan, add the remainder of the nuts and saute until golden. Spoon in the remainder of the honey and, when it melts, remove from heat and pour over the pie.
Serve with harissa yoghurt sauce and lemon wedges, and a large tossed green salad.

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Reviews

Fantastic, richly spiced, honey sweet and savoury veggie pie with a paste made of chickpeas and phyllo crust. Truly delicious!

rosslare
Truely fantabulous! You absolutely must try this!!!!! I substituted chopped dates for the craisins, doubled the pistachios and omitted the almonds (seemed more Moroccan). I also used a combination of yams & squash as well as chard & spinach (what was on hand). We didn't bother with the sauce this time but will for that special occasion. Thank you for sharing!!!!!

Miheehee
Definite keeper recipe -flavourful, substantive, and exotic-looking. My beau and I made this recipe for a dinner with two other friends, and we all loved it. The list of ingredients is long, but preparation is fairly straight forward, particularly if you have four hands at work! Didn't have harissa for the yogurt sauce, but put a small bowl of (bottled) oriental chili and garlic in oil on the table for those who like the hot stuff. They said it worked quite well.

dmomeara

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Daydream

Australia

<p>I was raised in a family that loves to travel, meet people from other countries, and taste new foods. We are quite 'international' - my brother's wife is Indian, my sister's husband is Swiss and my son's wife is of Swedish and Croatian origin. My little dogs are German - miniature Dachshunds.</p> 8725212"

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