Here’s a popular dish from our Cooking with Dad project and afterschool clubs. Using cheap winter veg, tasty cheese and dried herbs, it’s inexpensive to make and delicious. You children will love getting creative with the pastry scraps too – so make sure there’s plenty left for all their decorations.
Ingredients:
1 leek, cut into chunks
small knob of butter
small pinch dried rosemary or thyme
200g cooked potatoes
50g melting cheese, such as cheddar, cut into small chunks
250g shortcrust pastry (plus flour to dust)
Egg wash (egg and milk)
Pepper to season
METHOD *
1. Put the leek, butter and herbs in a pan, cover and cook over a low heat for 10-15 minutes until very soft, stirring occasionally.
2. While the leeks are cooking, chop the cooked potato into small chunks, transfer to a bowl and stir in the cooked leeks. Leave to cool.
3. Stir in the cheese and season as required. The filling can now be chilled for use the following day, if required.
4. Divide the pastry in two. Roll one piece to the size of a small side plate. Transfer this to a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper. Roll the remaining pastry and trimmings to a circle a little bigger than the first.
5. Pile the filling into the middle of the smaller circle, leaving a 2cm border. Brush the border with the egg wash, then drape over the larger piece of pastry. Trim the edges to neaten, then press the sides together with your thumb or a fork.
6. Decorate with left over trimmings eg letters, leaves or hearts.
7. Brush tart and decorations with egg wash and make a couple of incisions in the top to let out steam as the pie cooks.
8. Bake at 180˚C for 25 minutes until golden.
9. Leave to rest for 10 mins before cutting into wedges and serving with beans or greens.
N.B. Children should always be supervised when cooking, and an adult should oversee the
use of heat as well as all preparation involving sharp utensils.
Try something different
Try using alternative vegetables in this pie. Peppers, sweetcorn, courgettes would all work well.
Did you know?
- Cheese contains both protein and calcium – something we all need for growth and development.
- For other interesting facts about cheese visit: www.britishcheese.com
Equipment:
Pan
Wooden spoon or spatula
Pot
Chopping board
Sharp knife
Mixing bowl
Spoon
Fork
Rolling pin
Small pastry cutters
Baking tray
Greaseproof paper
Pastry brush
Oven gloves