Torta salata, literally savory pie, or quiche, to put it in the French way, is one of my favorite foods for buffets and picnics. I also love vegetarian versions, a fun occasion for children to eat vegetables and a rich "side dish" for barbecues. Would you like to join?
The dough for vegetarian savory pie
Any savory pie ‘worth its salt’ must feature a delicious dough. If you want to prepare a 100% vegetarian version of the savory pie (suitable even for vegans!), then you’ll need to make an oil pie crust dough. Using your hands or a food processor, mix (or knead) 9 oz flour, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, a tablespoon of white vinegar and about a cup of water together. Let the dough rest 30-40 minutes before using. Roll it out with a rolling pin. The advantage? Vegans, vegetarians, and those of us with lactose-intolerance can enjoy a carefree slice of savory pie!
Vegetarian savory pie: the filling
When it comes to the stuffing, things can get a little decadent... If you want a vegetarian savory pie – similar to a French quiche – prepare a batter with three eggs, a cup of milk, a cup of heavy cream and nutmeg. Add your favorite veggies to the mix: sliced mushrooms, pan-fried leeks, zucchini, spinach (well-squeezed!), pine nuts, raisins or artichokes! The only limit? Your imagination and what’s available at the grocery store!
Another vegetarian option that always achieves the best of results? Using ricotta cheese – maybe mixed with an egg and some parmesan cheese for a more compact filling. Or mixed with asparagus and saffron; maybe fresh or dried tomatoes and oregano; then there’s peas, broad beans and mint.
Other mouth-watering ideas – with a less creamy, though no less delicious filling – are potatoes and scamorza cheese; black cabbage and cream; sliced eggplant and Parmigiano Reggiano. The list goes on…
The recipe for vegan savory pie
A solution to replace the creamy component of the fillings for rustic savory pies? Blend tofu, a soy ‘cheese,’ with a little vegetable milk or tofu silk (similar to cream). Or try it with radish, artichokes, chard and nuts! Lovers of simplicity will not be disappointed by tomatoes and basil; or you can arrange slices of zucchini and carrots in a concentric spiral, completed with chopped hazelnuts and rosemary or basil; then there’s the version with peppers, capers and breadcrumbs.
You can also blend one of the vegetables that will make up the filling, perhaps with a little nutritional yeast to add some extra flavor. How about a vegan savory pie with creamed broccoli and sautéed pumpkin cubes, creamed carrots and rosemary, creamed potatoes and artichokes or leeks? You can even sprinkle the top with some chopped almonds and a drizzle of oil to form a crust. Irresistible, we know.