Broccoli Savory Pie

By Cristiano Bonino.

Enjoy this vegan version of a traditional savory pie (although the use of butter is more typical) on one of our cooking classes in Massachusetts, or try it at home using only a few ingredients!

I can’t remember a specific person who gave me this recipe. It’s the result of many trips and many conversations with housewives, sommeliers, chefs and food lovers—not to mention plenty of tastings in homes, bakeries and restaurants all across the beautiful Italian peninsula!

Ingredients for 6 people for the dough:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup EVOO
• 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

• Make a small "mountain" with the flour, then a "little crater" in the middle. Start to sprinkle some salt here
• Then pour water little by little, and finally add the EVOO to incorporate all the ingredients
• Knead to get your dough smooth and consistent 
• Let the dough ball rest in the fridge for 1 hour covered by a cloth or towel
• In a pre-oiled tray make a thin layer of dough using your fingers pressing evenly all over
• Prick the dough with a fork in different points and cook in the oven at 400 degrees for at least 25 minutes
• Then take the tray out and add broccoli filling (see below) evenly on top 
• Continue cooking in the oven at 400 degrees for another 5 minutes
• You can prepare this dish in advance and then warm it up in the oven for 5 minutes before serving

Ingredients for the filling:

• 2 Tbsp EVOO
• 2 cups water
• 4 broccoli (you can also use cabbage or kale or spinach, or other veggies you like)
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/8 tsp salt

Directions:

• Clean the broccoli and separate tops (or florets) from stems
• In a pot over medium flame steam (or add more water and boil) broccoli tops in water for 5 minutes (I usually cook the stems and use the remaining water to make a nice soup)
• Peel and sauté the garlic (finely minced or whole, your choice) in a pan in 2 Tsp of EVOO until light brown
• Then add the steamed tops and cook them for at least 5 minutes, adding salt and water from the pot, if needed 

Buon appetito!