Savory Broccoli Cheddar Pie
This pie can be served as a vegetarian main dish or as a vegetable side dish at large gatherings. When purchasing the cheddar cheese, avoid pre-shredded, which will likely contain unhealthy fillers. Also, changing the type of mushrooms you use will change the delicate flavors of the pie. Try experimenting with shiitake or portobello for a meatier flavor. For this recipe, the amounts of broccoli, mushrooms and potatoes are not as critical as using a total of 3 full cups of raw vegetables.
Serves 4 (or more as a side dish)
Pie shell:
¾ c whole wheat pastry flour (or gluten free flour with ½ tsp xanthan gum powder), sifted
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground mustard
1 c sharp cheddar, finely grated
1/ 3 c butter, melted
Filling:
1 c onion, chopped
3 Tbl butter
1 c potatoes, diced
1 c broccoli, cut into florets
1 c mushrooms, sliced
1 c whole milk
2 large eggs, beaten
1 Tbl mixed dried herbs of choice (cayenne, basil, thyme, oregano)
1 c sharp cheddar, shredded
salt and pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
To prepare the pie shell: Put the flour, salt and mustard in a bowl. Stir in the cheddar cheese and melted butter. Mix well and, with flattened fingers, gently press the dough into the bottom and sides of a deep-dish 9-inch pie plate, starting from the center, until the bottom is evenly covered, then working up the sides. The shell won’t look as perfect as a rolled pie crust or come up high enough to give a lip, but it works fine for this pie.
To make the filling: In a large frying pan, briefly saute the onion in the butter, then add the diced potatoes. Cook 5-7 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and brown slightly. Remove the mixture from the heat and let cool. Spread the vegetables over the crust.
Add the milk and herbs to the beaten eggs. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the mixture over the vegetables. Cover the top with grated cheese.
Bake for 45 minutes or until the custard is set. Remove and let cool slightly before serving.
Kathryn Lafond, Intuitive Energy Healer, health coach, chef and author of Seasoned with Gratitude, has served as a healing arts practitioner for over 25 years. The mother of three grown children, she devotes herself to celebrating the sacred in every day life. Learn more and sign up for her blog, Greater Nourishment, at www.kathrynlafond.com.






