Broccoli & Mushroom Cheese Pie

Cheesy, yummy, healthy, and
SO easy to make!!

I spent a lot of time this week contemplating what to write in this week’s blog.  I wanted to write something that would capture the essence of the mood of the Nine Days, and actually found it very challenging.  I generally use this blog as an outlet to find the humor and quirky joy in everyday life.  The Nine Days are the period of time historically tragic for the Jewish people – not very joyous or funny.  It is a time to reflect on what we have, and what we have lost as a Jewish Nation and as individuals.  As a result of the mourning of the time, we have a custom to only eat dairy foods – no meat.  I decided that I would give you a simple, no frills, easy to make, but really delicious dairy recipe that you can make during the Nine Days (and afterwards too!) – Broccoli & Mushroom Cheese Pie.  This pie is really one of my family’s favorites. Made with ready to use ingredients that you have in your freezer and pantry, it’s a super easy to make recipe.  It’s also an incredibly flexible recipe, you can add more eggs to make it more “quichelike”, or can add more chopped broccoli, less mushrooms, another of your favorite frozen vegetables (or even fresh), and you’re good to go.

You might say “It’s easy as Pie”!  Now the distracted part of me that wasn’t trying to think of how to write a Nine Days article, was contemplating what exactly does the phrase “Easy as Pie” really mean?  Pie’s generally are not necessarily easy to make…it takes a skilled hand to make and roll the crust.  Not always so easy.  And the filling…if you don’t have the right ratio of ingredients in a fruit pie it can be a huge disaster!  Could they be talking about π - 3.14159265…?  I can tell you from my days as a Math Major in College, some of the formulas and equations that had π in them were definitely not easy at all!  Then upon further reflection, I decided that the phrase must be referring to the Broccoli & Mushroom Cheese Pie recipe – because it really is “Easy as Pie”!

I would also like to share with you the article that I wrote for Aish.com for the Nine Days – Recipes for the Nine Days.  It has some of my favorite dairy and pareve recipes to help you plan for your Nine Days menus.  As I wrote in that article, a good meal can be a real form of consolation.  I hope that these flavorful and healthy dishes with be a source of comfort during the sad time of the Nine Days. May we know no more sorrow and may the Beit Hamikdash be quickly built in our lifetimes.

BROCCOLI & MUSROOM CHEESE PIE

Makes 2 pies…one for now, one for later! 

24        ounces frozen    chopped broccoli, or broccoli florets – partially defrosted

16        ounces              part skim shredded mozzarella cheese

16        ounces              canned mushrooms, drained

2          tablespoons      dried minced onion

                                    salt and pepper to taste

4          large                 eggs

2                                  deep dish frozen pie crusts (I like Mrs. Smiths)

Preheat oven to 375° F.  Line a large dairy cookie sheet with aluminum foil.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine broccoli, mushrooms and cheese.  Add dried onion, salt, and pepper.  Mix until thoroughly combined.  Add the eggs and mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly coated with egg.

Evenly spoon broccoli mixture into the two pie crusts.  Place pies on the prepared cookie sheet.  Bake for 45 minutes until crust and pie are lightly browned.  Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Note:  You can add 2-4 additional eggs to make the recipe more “quichelike”.  You can also substitute your own favorite vegetables to personalize this great recipe!

All the ingredients...

and you didn't have to work

at all to prep them!

(Ok, so you had to open the can,

and bags & crack the eggs...)

Broccoli & mushrooms...

you could add your favorites!

Add the cheese, onions, and eggs -

SO easy!!

Put the mixture into the ready

made crusts and into the oven they go...

Pull them out of the oven when 

they are golden brown - YUM!!

So delicious, ready to eat!

It really is...

Easy as Pie!

Look for additional information about Edible Experience Kosher Everyday at www.koshereveryday.com, aish.com,

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These recipes are for sole, personal use of visitors to Sharon Matten -Edible Experience Kosher Everyday. Edible Experience Kosher Everyday recipes are for your enjoyment but are not to be posted or reprinted without express permission from Sharon Matten. Thank you!!