Ilana's Pie in Pictures sans ingredients

I really have to learn to fulfill promises sooner... I promised this over a year ago.

Here are the pics from Ilana's version of a greek pie. The ladies in Oakleigh showed her the best pastry to buy, how to roll it, what tin to bake it in. Me, they told me to sprinkle water on top to make the pastry crunchy. Who would have thought water would make it crisp? I'm sure there's some spooky quantum physics going on there - it just doesn't make sense!



















I think the pictures say it all really...

A Pie in Pictures

Ilana finally sent me some pictures of her latest pie and she's included How-to pics! Yippee. Ilana taught me how to make the snail-style pie over the phone. Looking at her pictures I've noticed that I did everything the opposite to what she did. I started on the outside and went in, she started on the inside and went out. She spread innards all round. I bunched it at the end of the pastry. (Her idea makes more sense. This pastry is not hardy) It reminds me of the time we both sat our Logic exam many years ago. I answered every even question and thought it was hard. She answered every odd question and thought it was easy... and we both got the same final result. [Ok, so I'm a glass half empty kinda gal but in my glass the bottom half is empty]. We were both into soups then... and now we're both into pies.

More pictures to come...

Ilana's Cauliflower Pie

So my friend Ilana makes amazing pies. This one sounds great. Ilana! I'm waiting for a picture. I'm hoping public humiliation will prompt a quick response from her. She did send me the recipe though. Warning: She is more Aries that I am so her directions are brief.

Ingredients and Directions:

I roast the cauliflower with cumin and olive oil until all caramelised and delicious.
Mash it with fork.
Mix with cheese of choice.
I used marinated goats cheese but have used ricotta and feta before.
Put in pie.
Scatter with fresh mint.
Bake.
Eat.
Repeat.

[Follow the pastry directions for the lamb pie - It's Ilana's method anyway]

The picture below is my friend Sue's version of Ilana's pie. She used puff pastry, tasty cheese, ricotta cheese and vietnamese mint (coz that's what they had in their garden). Apparently it was a wave-your-arms-in-the-air triumph. I'm awaiting a picture of it's innards.