Pies typically fall into one of three categories: fruit, cream, and custard. But there is one often-overlooked member of our pie family that deserves more attention than it gets.
Savory pies!
Pies can be filled with nearly any vegetable, cheese, or other savory ingredient, though the most familiar version is probably an egg-filled quiche. A quiche is a savory pie, but not all savory pies are quiche, and we love experimenting with crusts and filling for the perfect breakfast, lunch, or dinner pie.
Like sweet pies, savory pies are almost always better after some time to rest, giving the filling an opportunity to cool and come together. This, plus their sturdy transportability, make savory pies the ultimate picnic, brunch, or lunch box treat.
When free-styling a savory pie, the rules are similar to that of a fruit pie, with one exception. Because most vegetables are not pectin-rich like our favorite baking fruits, you’ll need an ingredient with structure, like eggs, cheese, or a creamy base, like béchamel. To that you can add any fruits, vegetables, or seasonings, keeping in mind that wet fillings like tomatoes or mushrooms may benefit from pre-cooking to avoid lots of moisture in your filling.
Savory fillings also give you the freedom to accessorize your pie crust. Add grated cheese, spices, or herbs to a classic pie crust, or explore crusts made with other grains, like cornmeal or even cooked quinoa. You can also line a pie pan with prepared phyllo dough sheets or shreds for a crisp Mediterranean-inspired crust. Don’t forget to brush each layer with melted butter!
Whether you’re searching for a new lunch recipe or just aren’t “into sweets,” a thing we cannot identify with, try some of our favorite savory pie (and a few tart) recipes!
Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Galette
Savory Butternut Squash and Rice Tart
tart // pie // savory // brunch // entertaining // easter // mother's day // holiday // make ahead // breakfast // quiche // picnic // pot luck