Easy Zucchini and Cheddar Pie

The South Arm Community Kitchen made an easy Zucchini and Cheddar Pie for the main course.

It is loaded with vegetables and bonded with eggs and cheese.
Ingredients

  • 2 pounds zucchini, grated and squeezed to remove excess liquid
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, grated
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 large red onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin


Source: South Arm Community Kitchen
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Fresh Blueberry Pie

For dessert, Michelle shared a Fresh Blueberry Pie. Blueberries are in season locally in June.

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This fresh Blueberry Pie is best served with whipped cream.

Blueberry Health Benefits: information provided by the North American Blueberry Council

  • Fresh blueberries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for the blue color of blueberries. Antioxidants are important because they appear to be at least partially responsible for lowering the risk of cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants do this by protecting the body’s blood vessel walls, making them more resistant to damage caused by oxidation.
  • Antioxidants also seem to have a role in delaying the aging process. Fresh blueberries contain 15 different anthocyanins, as well as other antioxidants like Vitamin C.
  • Research indicates that adding half cup of fresh blueberries to an average daily variety of fruits and vegetables consumed by an individual would essentially double the body’s antioxidant level.
  • Fresh blueberries are rich in Vitamin C and naturally low in fat, cholesterol and sodium.
  • Fresh blueberries contain iron, potassium and other important minerals, and are a good source of dietary fiber.
Ingredients
  • 1 pie crust, homemade or store-bought
  • fresh blueberries, washed and dried to fill pie shell
  • whip cream
Blueberry Glaze
  • 1 cup additional fresh blueberries
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

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Source: via South Arm Older Adults Cooking Club
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Savoury Impossible Pie

Michelle shared another pie recipe in the South Arm Older Adults Cooking Club with the popularity of the Spinach Pie in an earlier cooking session.

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This Savoury Impossible Pie is more like a quiche.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 to 3 slices bacon
  • 3 scallions, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 5 oz canned sweetcorn kernels (rinsed or drained) or 3/4 cup frozen

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Source: this recipe is adapted from Nigella.com

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Spinach Pie

The South Arm Older Adults Cooking Club made a Spinach Pie to go with the Leftover Lentil Soup.

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2 cups of spinach provides:

  • more than 100% of your Vitamin A
  • a good source of folate, Vitamin C, iron, magnesium and potassium

Ingredients

  • 1 store bought deep frozen pie crust
  • 1 bag spinach or 1 large bunch spinach, washed and dried
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese, or more as desired
  • 1 egg
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Flavorings:

Italian:

  • 1/2 cup drained sundried tomatoes, diced
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Greek:

  • 1/2 cup feta cheese
  • 2 teaspoons dried dill
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

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Source: South Arm Older Adults Community Kitchen

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Tamale Pie

Minoo shared a Mexican fusion recipe for the main course in the South Arm Multicultural Community Kitchen.

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The Tamale Pie is a vegetarian dish with a corn meal base and topped with beans for protein and bulgur for high fiber grain.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1 garlic clove, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 14oz canned tomatoes, with juice, mashed
  • 19oz canned Romano beans, drained
  • 2/3 cup bulgur
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Crust

  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 large egg, fork-beaten
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt

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Source: South Arm Multicultural Community Kitchen

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Impossible Cardamom Apple Pie

Michelle harvested some apples from her apple tree and Chris also brought some apples to share at the South Arm Cooking Club Seniors. Michelle came up with this simple apple pie recipe with a twist, i.e. using cardamon instead of cinnamon which is usually associated with apple pie.

Apple is the original superfood which is rich in phytochemicals which have health benefits to cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, weight management and bone health. There goes the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”.

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Michelle served this Impossible Cardamom Apple Pie with some homemade vanilla ice-cream.

Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 apples
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamon (or cinnamon)
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup unbleached flour

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Source: Mintgreeapron.blogspot.com

Tips: use freshly grind cardamon for a more pronounce flavour

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Chicken 101: Chicken Pot Pie

In the second part of the Chicken 101 workshop organised by the Richmond Food Security Society, Ian demonstrated how to make pie crust to make a Chicken Pot Pie.

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Ian demonstrated how to make a flaky pie crust which will shatters when cut into it for the top and a mealy pie crust for the bottom which holds wet ingredients better.

The ratio of flour:butter:cold water to make a pie crust is 3:2:1. When comes to pastry, weigh your ingredients for precision measurement. If you want to use spelt for the pie crust, you may substitute 1/3 of the flour with spelt.

Chicken-101-Chicken-Pot-Pie-3Pastry making requires everything to be cold. Ian freezes the butter and grate it using a box grater (largest grate).Combine cold butter and flour (unsifted) in a bowl. Salt it for flavour.

Ian illustrated that the flour is like elastic band and the butter cuts (shortens) the gluten strand.
Chicken-101-Chicken-Pot-Pie-4Add cold water a bit at a time.
Chicken-101-Chicken-Pot-Pie-5Ian swirled the mixing bowl to combine the flour/butter and water until it starts to form chunks.
Chicken-101-Chicken-Pot-Pie-6Ian squeezed together the chunk (not knead), one small chunk at a time and place on a floured counter. You do not want to overwork the dough.Add more water when it becomes too dry.
Chicken-101-Chicken-Pot-Pie-7Once all small chunks are formed, Ian gathered them together and form a ball.
Chicken-101-Chicken-Pot-Pie-8Ian then flattened the dough with his palm with a motion away from himself.
Chicken-101-Chicken-Pot-Pie-9Pull back the dough and fold once.
Chicken-101-Chicken-Pot-Pie-10You”ll see chunks of butter and many layers. When the chunks of butter are big, you”ll have a flaky dough.
Chicken-101-Chicken-Pot-Pie-11If you work the dough further more, like a couple more times pressing and folding, you’ll get a mealy dough with smaller chunks of butter.You must rest the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out for making pie.

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Kale Pie

This pie uses a no-roll crust, making it easy enough for everyday eating. Sydney, Frances and Frank prepared this Kale Pie in the South Arm Cooking Club for Seniors.

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You may substitute kale with chard for this pie.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 bunch kale, thinly sliced (about 8 large leaves)
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped mixed herbs, like parsley, thyme, chervil and chives
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk yogurt or sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

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Source: adapted from Mark Bittman

Prep time: 30 minutes;  Cook time: 1 hour;  Serves 4 to 6

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Tuna Pie

Tanni made a simple pie which is great as a snack or for school lunch. It can be made with canned tuna or salmon. We made both in the kitchen. We found that the Tuna Pie taste better. Perhaps, the salmon flavour is slightly stronger.

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The Tuna or Salmon Pie is filled with carrot, tomato and potato. It’s a good way to incorporate vegetables into a dish which kids will eat. This can be eaten warm or cold.

Ingredients

  • 1 can tuna or salmon
  • 4 oz butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons mustard
  • 3/4 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 2 potatoes, boiled and mashed
  • 1 medium carrot, boiled, peeled and diced

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Click on the link below for the instructions.

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Taco Pie

Karen made us this Taco Pie for lunch. She will make this for the community meal too. The Taco Pie is a very affordable dish. The most expensive ingredient in this recipe is the cheese.

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The Taco Pie is a fusion of Mexican and American dish.

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This one pot dish is good for potluck too. It’s a filing dish complete with beans, vegetables, chips and cheese.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 bell peppers (red & yellow), chopped
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 bag of corn chips
  • 1 can mix beans (540ml)
  • 1 bottle mild or medium salsa (250-350ml)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil, olive, canola or corn
  • a few sprigs of cilantro and parsley
  • 200g grated cheese for topping

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Click on the link below for the instructions.

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