2 easy to make savoury pies

Delicious savoury pies are easy to make and here a couple of popular recipes to serve your family.

This dish develops a delicious crusty top and sides. Here are the ingredients:

• 350 g (12 oz) grated zucchini
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 slices lean bacon, finely chopped
• 250 ml (1 c) grated cheddar cheese
• 250 ml (1 c) self-raising flour
• 75 ml (1/3 c) olive oil
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 75 ml (1/3 c) milk

1. Combine the zucchini, onion, bacon, cheese and flour in a deep bowl.
2. Mix in the oil, beaten eggs and milk.
3. Place the mix in an oiled baking dish (approximately 30 x 24 centimetres, or 12 x 9.5 inches) and cook on the top rack of a moderate oven (190°C/375°F) to hot oven (230°C/450°F) until golden brown and sizzling.
4. Serve with a fresh salad. Serves four to six.

The traditional and most rewarding way to cook a pizza is in a wood-fired oven. Make sure you stoke up the stove well in advance to ensure a very hot oven of approximately 220°C (425°F). This recipe makes 2 pizzas.

Making the dough

• 300 g (10 1/2 oz) plain flour (can be a mix of whole wheat and white)
• Pinch salt
• 1 packet dried yeast
• 5 ml (1 tsp) sugar
• 125 ml (1/2 c) warm water
• A little olive oil

1.  Sift the flour into a bowl and add a pinch of salt. Activate the yeast by stirring it into the warm water and sugar. Set it aside until it begins to froth, then pour it into a depression in the flour. Mix the flour first with a wooden spoon then, using your fingers, gradually work into a dough, adding more flour if the mix is too sticky.
2. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for five to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Rub a little olive oil over the dough, cover it with a damp cloth and leave it to rise in a warm place beside the stove until the dough has doubled in size. This can take 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the surrounding temperature.
3. Punch down the dough, divide it in half and work into two balls. Press and roll out each ball to about 0.5 centimetre (1/4 inch) thickness and place them on two well-oiled, 20 centimetre (eight inch) pizza pans or baking sheets.

Making the topping

• 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 400 g (14 1/2 oz) tomatoes
• Six sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
• 1 onion, chopped or sliced
• 60 g (1 1/2 oz) mushrooms
• 60 g (1 1/2 oz) pancetta, salami or ham
• 8 chopped anchovies (optional)
• 60 g (1 1/2 oz) pitted black olives
• A few torn basil leaves
• 250 ml (1 c) mozzarella cheese
• 60 g (1 1/2 oz) pecorino or Parmesan

1.  Heat some olive oil in a frying pan, lightly fry the garlic, then add the tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes (if using) and cook until reduced to a thick paste.
2. Spread the sauce over the pizza base and top this with the sliced or chopped onions, mushrooms, pancetta, salami or ham, olives, anchovies, basil, cheese and freshly ground pepper.
3. Bake on the top shelf of a hot oven (230°C/450°F) for 20 to 25 minutes until the crust has become brown and crispy on the edges.

These are just a couple of the many savoury recipes you can make. Adjust to your own preferences and enjoy.