Moroccan Spiced Pie Recipes

MOROCCAN CHICKEN PIE

Steps:

• Make the chicken filling: Season the chicken thighs generously on both sides with salt and pepper; go heavy on the pepper. Set aside.
• Put olive oil in a wide, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring, until softened and beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic, turmeric, saffron, ginger, allspice and cinnamon, and stir to combine.
• Place seasoned chicken thighs on top of onion mixture, add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a brisk simmer, cover with lid ajar and cook until chicken is tender, about 30 minutes.
• Remove thighs from pot and let cool. Continue to cook onion mixture until all broth has evaporated and only onion remains. Turn off heat and let onions cool.
• Remove and discard skin and bones from chicken thighs. Tear thigh meat into 1-inch strips and add to onion mixture. Add raisins and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning. (Chicken can be prepared in advance until this point.)
• Put ricotta in a bowl and add mint, preserved lemon, lemon juice, lemon zest and a little salt. Stir to combine, and set aside. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Remove phyllo from package, unroll to make a flat stack and cover with a damp kitchen towel. Assemble the pie: Brush bottom and sides of a 12-inch paella pan or low, round earthenware casserole with warm melted butter. Lay 2 sheets of phyllo side by side in pan, overlapping in the middle by 1 inch, pressing down in the center so phyllo lines bottom of pan, leaving the excess hanging over the sides. Butter the sheets from the center all the way to the edges.
• Repeat the process with 2 more sheets of phyllo, set at a slight angle to the first layer. Paint this layer with butter all the way to the edges. Repeat, setting the pastry again at a slight angle to the previous layer, so the overhanging edges make a complete circle by the end of the process. Make 7 buttered layers of 2 sheets each.
• Fill the pie: Sprinkle the bottom of the pan with half the almonds and pistachios. Spread the chicken mixture evenly across the pan. Drop spoonsful of the ricotta mixture over the chicken mixture. Top the ricotta layer with remaining pistachios and almonds.
• Close the pie by folding all the overhanging phyllo sheets gently toward the center of the pan, pressing to enclose the filling. Brush more butter over the top and tuck in and smooth any stray phyllo.
• Bake the pie for 35 to 40 minutes, until nicely browned and crisp. To unmold, invert pie onto a cool baking sheet, exposing the flat top (formerly the bottom) of the pie. With spatulas, carefully transfer pie to a serving platter.
• Put confectioners' sugar in a mesh strainer, and shake to cover the pie generously, like a thin layer of fallen snow. Cut into wedges to serve, but for the best experience, forgo the fork, and eat the pie with your fingers.

MOROCCAN SPICED PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to fan 180C/ conventional 200C/gas 6. Dry fry the seeds briefly in a small pan over a medium heat until toasty - don't let them burn. Grind coarsely using a pestle and mortar (or a bowl and the end of a rolling pin), then mix in the paprika, cinnamon, 1⁄2 tsp salt and 4 tbsp oil. Tip the squash into a roasting tin, pour over the spiced oil and toss. Roast for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp of oil in a frying pan, add the shallots and cook, stirring, until they start to brown. Stir in the ginger and 100g/4oz each almonds and pistachios.When brown, toss in the cranberries, 2 tbsp honey, and the spinach so it wilts. Take off the heat and stir into the squash, when it comes out of the oven. Set aside.
• In a food processor, whizz the chickpeas with the garlic, cumin, remaining oil, lemon juice, 2 tbsp water and salt and pepper to make houmous. Stir in the coriander.
• Melt the butter in a small pan. Put a loose-bottomed 28cm quiche tin on a baking sheet and brush with some butter. Keeping the filo covered with a damp cloth so it doesn't dry out, lay one sheet over half of the tin so that it hangs over the edge by about 10cm. Lay another sheet on the other side, so it overlaps the first in the centre and hangs over the opposite edge. Brush with butter. Lay two more filo sheets in the opposite direction in the same way and brush with more butter.
• Build up two more layers in this way, so you use a total of eight sheets of filo. Pile half the squash mixture in the centre of the pastry. Spread over the houmous and then the rest of the squash mixture.One at a time, bring the edge of each filo sheet up to the centre to cover the filling, creating voluptuous folds as you go. Brush carefully with more butter. (If making a day ahead, cover now with cling film and chill. To reheat, remove the pie from the fridge, heat the oven, then bake for 35-40 minutes.)
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, until crisp and golden. Just before the pie is ready, reheat any remaining butter in the pan, tip in the rest of the nuts and fry until golden. Spoon in the 4 remaining tbsps of honey and, when it melts, take off the heat and pour over the pie. Serve with Harissa yogurt sauce (mix the yogurt and milk together to make a thin sauce, stir in the herbs and season. Swirl in harissa to taste) and lemon wedges.

MOROCCAN SPICED PIE

Steps:

• First, make the harissa yoghurt sauce. Mix the yoghurt and the milk together to make a thin sauce. Stir in the mint and cilantro and season to taste with salt and pepper. Lightly stir in the harissa paste, and set the sauce aside.
• Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).
• Heat a small skillet over medium heat and dry-roast the coriander and cumin seeds, taking care not to burn them. Grind them coarsely with a mortar and pestle or an electric spice grinder, then transfer to a small bowl. Mix in the paprika, cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 4 tablespoons of the olive oil.
• Place the winter squash in a roasting tin, then pour over the spiced oil and toss well to ensure each piece of squash is coated with the oil. Roast for 20 minutes in the pre-heated oven, then set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a skillet, then add the shallots and cook, stirring, until they start to brown. Stir in the chopped ginger and 3 1/2 oz each of the almonds and pistachios, reserving the remainder. When the nuts are golden brown, add the craisins, 2 tablespoons of honey, and the spinach. When the spinach wilts, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the roasted winter squash. Set aside.
• Process the chickpeas, garlic, cumin, the remaining oil, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of water, and salt and pepper to taste, in a processor or with a stick blender. Stir in the chopped cilantro.
• Melt the butter in a small pan. Place a loose-bottomed 11 inch quiche tin on a baking sheet and brush with some butter. Keeping the phyllo covered with a damp cloth so it doesn't dry out, lay one sheet over half of the tin so that it hangs over the edge by about 4 inches. Lay another sheet on the other side, so it overlaps the first in the centre and hangs over the opposite edge. Brush with butter. Lay two more phyllo sheets in the opposite direction in the same way and brush with more butter. Build up two more layers in this way, so there is a total of eight sheets of phyllo.
• Pile half the squash mixture in the centre of the pastry. Cover with the chickpea mixture, then top with the rest of the squash mixture.
• One at a time, bring the edge of each phyllo sheet up to the centre to cover the filling, creating voluptuous folds as you go. Brush carefully with more butter.
• Bake the pie for 30-35 minutes, until crisp and golden. Cover loosely with foil if browning, too quickly, near the end of cooking time.
• Just before the pie is ready, reheat any remaining butter, in the pan, add the remainder of the nuts and saute until golden. Spoon in the remainder of the honey and, when it melts, remove from heat and pour over the pie.
• Serve with harissa yoghurt sauce and lemon wedges, and a large tossed green salad.

MOROCCAN-SPICED TURKEY PIE

Steps:

• Heat a large non-stick pan over a medium heat and toast the coriander and cumin seeds for 1-2 mins until fragrant. Add the cinnamon, olive oil, aubergine and shallots. Coat the veg in the spices and cook on a medium-low heat for about 10 mins until the aubergine has softened slightly.
• Add the harissa and peppers. Give everything a good stir, then add the tomatoes and crumble over the stock cube. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 mins until the veg is tender and the mixture is nice and thick.
• Stir through the turkey meat and season well. Set aside to cool.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and grease a 23cm springform tin with a little butter. Lay two sheets of filo over the base of the tin and brush with the melted butter. Cross over another two layers of filo and brush again with butter. Repeat once more, then put the cooled filling in the centre. Using the remaining four pastry sheets, cover the filling and brush with more melted butter. Scrunch the top of the pie together and bake for 30-35 mins.
• Remove from the oven and scatter the pie with the flaked almonds. Cook for a final 10 mins until the pie is golden and piping hot. Serve straight away.

MOROCCAN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray four 10-ounce ramekins with cooking spray.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat.
• Sprinkle lamb evenly with 1/2 teaspoon cumin and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook and stir lamb in the hot oil until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer lamb to a bowl. Cook and stir onion in the same skillet until slightly softened, about 3 minutes; add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir tomato paste into onion mixture until evenly coated, about 30 seconds. Pour broth and water into onion mixture; bring to a boil, scraping skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen browned bits of food. Return lamb to skillet.
• Stir remaining 1/2 teaspoon cumin, olives, raisins, honey, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon into lamb mixture. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until lamb is fully cooked and flavors have blended, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in peas.
• Place sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and cool for 5 minutes. Transfer sweet potatoes to a bowl and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 3/8 teaspoon cinnamon. Beat potato mixture with a hand mixer on high speed until smooth. Add egg; beat until incorporated.
• Spoon lamb mixture into each ramekin; spread sweet potato mixture over lamb mixture. Place ramekins on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling, about 25 minutes.

MOROCCAN-STYLE CHICKEN PIE

Steps:

• For filling:
• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Mix in cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and saffron; stir 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over; stir 1 minute. Add broth; bring to simmer. Sprinkle chicken with salt; add to broth mixture. Gently simmer chicken uncovered until cooked through, reducing heat if necessary to prevent boiling, about 20 minutes. Stir in raisins. Set skillet aside until chicken is cool enough to handle.
• Transfer chicken to plate. Shred chicken coarsely and return to skillet. If sauce is thin, simmer over medium heat until sauce coats chicken thickly. Stir in cilantro and parsley. Season filling with salt and pepper. Cool filling completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill.
• For phyllo:
• Finely grind almonds, powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, and cinnamon in mini processor.
• Stack 10 phyllo sheets on work surface. Invert 9-inch glass pie dish onto stack. Cut around dish through phyllo, making ten 10-inch rounds. Remove dish. Cover rounds with plastic wrap and damp kitchen towel.
• Brush same pie dish with melted butter. Place 1 phyllo round on work surface; brush with butter and sprinkle with scant 1 tablespoon almonds. Top with another phyllo round, brush with butter and sprinkle with scant 1 tablespoon almonds. Repeat stacking with 3 more phyllo rounds, butter, and almonds. Fit phyllo stack into prepared pie dish. Brush with butter. Spoon filling evenly over. Place 1 phyllo round on work surface. Brush with butter and sprinkle with scant 1 tablespoon almonds. Top with another phyllo round, brush with butter and sprinkle with scant 1 tablespoon almonds. Repeat with 2 phyllo rounds, butter, and almonds. Place stack atop filling; top with remaining phyllo round. Tuck in edges. Drizzle more butter over top. Cut 4 slits through top phyllo stack to allow steam to escape. DO AHEAD: Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place pie on rimmed baking sheet. Bake uncovered until phyllo is golden and filling is heated through, about 40 minutes. Cool 15 minutes. Cut into wedges.