Puff Pastry Pie with Potatoes

The puff pastry pie with potatoes is a delicious comfort food that combines the crunchiness of the pastry with the softness of the potatoes. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 roll of ready-made puff pastry
• 600 g of potatoes
• 1 onion
• 100 g of cooked ham, diced (optional for a vegetarian version)
• 150 g of grated cheese (Emmental, sweet provola or a cheese of your choice)
• 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons of milk
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 egg (for brushing)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley (optional)
• Nutmeg (optional)

Preparation

1. Peel the potatoes, cut them into cubes and cook them in salted boiling water until they are soft.
2. In the meantime, thinly slice the onion and sauté it with a drizzle of oil in a pan until it becomes transparent.
3. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and mash them with a potato masher to make a puree. If you wish, you can add a bit of milk to make the mixture creamier.
4. Add the sautéed onion, cooked ham, grated cheese, Parmesan, salt, pepper and, if you like, a pinch of nutmeg and chopped parsley to the potato puree. Mix everything well.
5. Roll out the puff pastry on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Prick the bottom with a fork.
6. Spread the potato mixture over the puff pastry, leaving about a 2 cm edge free to close the pie.
7. Fold the edges of the puff pastry inward to contain the filling, creating a sort of frame.
8. Beat the egg with a pinch of salt and brush the edges of the puff pastry. This will help to achieve a nice golden color.
9. Cook in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 20-25 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown and crispy.
10. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Trivia

Puff pastry is a very versatile element in Italian cuisine and can be used for both sweet and savory preparations. The addition of aromatic herbs or spices to the filling can vary the flavor profile of the pie, making it a new dish every time!