The Homity Pie is a traditional British open vegetable pie particularly popular in the southwest of England.
The pastry base contains a potato filling and a mixture of leeks covered with cheese.
In the traditional Homity Pie recipe, the cheese (usually grated cheddar) is generously spread over the surface of the pie, above the potato, onion, and leek filling.
This layer melts during cooking to form a golden and flavorful crust, which is one of the features of this savory pie.
Sometimes called “Devon Pie,” deriving from the belief that it is an English countryside recipe originating from Devon.
It is also claimed that its origins date back to the Women’s Land Army of World War II and the restrictions imposed by wartime rationing to make the most of simple and easily obtainable ingredients.
The dish gained mainstream popularity from the Cranks Vegetarian Restaurant, a vegetarian restaurant chain that opened in London in 1961, when vegetarianism garnered support from the hippie subculture.
I enriched it with rosemary flowers for:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Boiling, Oven
- Cuisine: English
- Seasonality: Spring, All Seasons
Ingredients for a 9-inch diameter:
- 1 roll shortcrust pastry
- 1.65 lbs potatoes
- 2 leeks
- 2 cloves garlic
- 5.3 oz fresh cream
- 5.3 oz grated cheddar (aged)
- to taste salt and pepper
- to taste rosemary flowers
- to taste butter
Tools
- 1 Baking Pan 9 inches
Steps
If you don’t buy it ready-made, you can prepare the shortcrust pastry as follows:
In a large bowl, mix the flours (200 g all-purpose flour + 100 g wholemeal flour) with the salt.
Add 150 g cold butter in cubes and work with your fingertips until you get a crumbly mixture.
Add 1 egg and knead quickly until forming a smooth dough.
Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the filling:
Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are tender, then drain and mash them coarsely with a fork.
In a pan, melt a knob of butter and sauté the finely chopped leeks and garlic until soft and slightly golden.
In a bowl, mix the mashed potatoes, cooked leeks and garlic, cream, half of the grated cheese, a dash of nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Roll out the shortcrust pastry on a floured surface and line a cake tin about 9 inches in diameter.
Pour the filling into the pastry base and level the surface.
Sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese.To get a golden and cheesy cover on the Homity Pie, generously distribute the cheese over the surface of the pie before baking.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 30-35 minutes, until the surface is well-browned.
Decorate with rosemary flowers and serve either hot or cold.
Rosemary Flowers:
Rosemary flowers are edible, and can be used to enhance dishes like risottos or salads, adding a pretty and fragrant touch of color.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
What are the alternatives to lactose-free Cheddar?
Lactose-free Cheddar: various brands offer versions of classic cheddar, but with lactose removed.
Vegan cheddar-style cheese: made from cashews, coconut oil, or potato starch, often flavored to resemble cheddar.
Lactose-free aged provolone: has good meltability and a strong flavor that pairs well with leeks and potatoes.
Aged pecorino (naturally low in lactose): for a more rustic and flavorful touch, to be used in small amounts.
