Cheese Potato Slab Pie Recipes

LOADED BAKED POTATO SLAB PIE

Steps:

• For the crust: Pulse the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor to combine. Add 1/3 of the cubed butter, and pulse until combined. Add the remaining butter, and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the vinegar, then gradually add 1/4 cup ice water, pulsing until evenly combined. Squeeze the dough between your fingers; if it doesn't hold its shape, add 1 to 2 tablespoons more water. Turn the dough out onto a flour-dusted surface, and press into a ball. Break off 1/3 of the dough and form into a ball; form the remaining piece into a second ball. Wrap both in plastic and flatten into 1-inch-thick squares. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• For the filling: Meanwhile, peel the potatoes, and slice 1/4 inch thick on a mandoline or with a sharp knife. Cook the bacon in a medium pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon, and let drain on a paper towel. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat. Cook the onions in the pot, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom, until softened and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the flour; when it coats the onions, gradually whisk in the half-and-half. Add the potatoes and salt, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring, until the mixture has thickened and the potatoes are softened just enough to pierce with a fork but offer some resistance, about 10 minutes. (They will continue to cook in the oven.) Remove the pot from the heat, and stir in the sour cream. Season with 1 teaspoon more salt and several grinds of pepper. Set aside to cool while you prepare the crust.
• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 425 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
• To assemble: Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Roll the larger piece of dough into a 12-inch square about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish, pressing it into the corners as necessary. (Leave any overhang for pressing together with the top crust later.) Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the dough. Top with the potato mixture, and shake the pan to distribute evenly. Sprinkle the crispy bacon on top.
• Roll the remaining dough to 1/8 inch thick, and place it on top of the pie. Press it together with the overhanging bottom crust with your fingers to seal the edges, and trim to 1 inch around the dish. Roll the dough under, and press it into the top of the dish; crimp the edges with your fingers, or press with a fork. Cut slits into the top of the dough to allow steam to escape.
• Bake the pie on a rimmed baking sheet on the center rack for 30 minutes, then rotate the pie to allow even browning. Continue to bake until the dough is nicely browned, especially on the bottom and sides, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, 30 to 40 minutes more. Let cool for 25 minutes before cutting.

LEEK, CHEESE & POTATO PIE

Steps:

• To make the pastry, sieve the flour into a large mixing bowl and add 1 tsp sea salt. Coarsely grate in the cold butter, then use your fingertips to work into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Pour over the vodka and use a butter knife to mix it in, then pour over 2 tbsp cold water and stir again with the knife. If you need to, add a little more water until it comes together as a dough, about 1-2 tbsp. Lightly knead the pastry to a smooth dough in the bowl, dust lightly with flour and wrap in baking parchment. Rest for at least 30 mins.
• Peel and cut the potatoes into 5mm- thick slices and put them in a lidded saucepan. Cover with cold water, add a generous pinch of salt, bring to the boil with the lid on, then lower to a simmer and cook for 8-10 mins until just tender. Drain and leave to steam-dry.
• In a large non-stick frying pan, heat the olive oil, bay leaf and butter together over a medium heat, then add the leek and onion. Season well and add a good grating of nutmeg. Cook, stirring, for 8-10 mins, until softened. Add about 100ml water, and cook until most of it has evaporated. Discard the bay leaf and stir in both the mustards and parmesan. Set aside to cool. Butter and flour a 20cm round pie dish.
• Roll ¾ of the pastry out on a lightly floured surface in a circle larger than the pie dish, then line the dish. Roll the rest into a large circle for the lid and chill both for 10 mins. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Spoon a layer of the leek mixture into the lined dish, grate over some cheddar and top with a layer of potatoes and the melting cheese slices. Repeat the layering until you have filled the pie dish - press down to compact it.
• Brush some of the egg around the edges, top with the pastry lid and crimp together. Egg wash the lid, scatter over some sea salt and cut two slits in the lid. Bake for 45-50 mins until golden.
• Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 10 mins, then slice and serve with a watercress salad, if you like.