Bake pie for comfort and community
The cold reminds me to keep warm, tend to my home, and remember to rest as the animals do.
To honor this hibernation time, make space in your day to slow down and bake a pie.
When we cook, we gain the opportunity to connect with the ingredients that will nourish us. As we peel fruits and vegetables, knead dough, and smell spices, our senses awaken to the delight of the delicious food to come. Use your imagination!
By baking this pie, you create a whole meal, which is ready to be sliced and shared with friends and family. As we eat together, we remember the importance of community.
Take time to sit down for dinner with others.
Silently savor the flavors for a few moments. Talk about them together. Feel the support that can come from sharing food with companions. This connection can provide true nourishment.
Here's a simple pie crust recipe made with leftover grains.
whole grain pie crust
Mix the following ingredients together:
2 cups whole grain spelt flour or rice flour
1/2½cup leftover brown rice, quinoa, millet or oatmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
Make a well in the center of the bowl and add:
1/4¼cup water
1/4¼cup vegetable oil (I like organic sunflower oil)
1 egg, beaten
Incorporate all ingredients together and add a splash of water of needed. Dough needs to be firm enough that you can pick it up with your hands and shape it into a flat disc.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Grease a 9 inch cake or pie pan with vegetable oil.
Spread three quarters of the dough evenly into the bottom and along the sides of a 9 inch round pie or cake pan. Save one quarter to crumble over the top.
Pour filling into crust - see filling ideas below.
Use your fingers to spread the remaining dough over the top of the vegetables to make a crumble topping. It does not have to be perfect. Leave some air holes.
Bake for 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center tests clean.
Here are some ideas for fillings, both savory and sweet. You can include spices like thyme and garlic to strengthen immunity or ginger root and cinnamon to stimulate circulation.
my favorite pie fillings
Caramelized onions and collard greens
Roasted roots - try rutabagas, beets, and carrots
Steamed, pureed sweet potatoes with salt, pecans and 2 beaten eggs
Ground turkey cooked with braised kale, garlic, and thyme
Cooked pinto beans with cumin, corn and roasted butternut squash
Cremini mushrooms, celeriac and green cabbage cooked in butter or ghee
Coarsely chopped red apples tossed with cinnamon and maple syrup
To achieve a flaky crust, bake your pie at 425 degrees for the first 20 minutes and then lower oven temperature to 375 degrees for the next 20 to 30 minutes.
