St David

Saint David.  
When I opened up my computer this morning to send birthday greetings to my, today 15 year old grandaughter, up popped a message from google to say 1st March is St David's day.  I read that St David is the patron saint of Wales.  As the leek is the national symbol of Wales, and in season right now, I decided to make leek pies and take them to her birthday party.

Nels is an athlete, a rower, a runner, an eater of healthy food.  Her favourite meals are spanakorizo (stewed spinach and rice) and fak-es (lentils) so I decided she would be just as happy to have me bring her a leek pie as another child would be to receive a chocolate cake on her birthday.

Kronia polla Nels

The two Poros double skiff champs 

We are searching for this lycra unisuit for her to wear in her next national races on Lake Kastoria in northern Greece

Always proud to be a kiwi

In the Orthodox church Agios David (Δαυιδ) is a 'blessed' and not a saint and has his fiesta on 1 November or 16 December.  Two different saintly souls from two different religions.

Enough about religion.  I made the leek pies and like them better than spinach pies.

Prassopitakia - leek and feta pies

I made the pastry myself of course.  Simple recipe.  

1 wine glass of wine (I used red wine because that's what I had )

1 wine glass of oil - whatever you have on hand

one beaten egg

a little salt 

enough flour to make a soft dough

Knead a little till it forms a soft but not sticky ball

Leave for 20 minutes to rest

Filling -

three big fat leeks finely chopped

a handful of chopped dill (or herb of your choice)

a couple of hundred grams of crumbled feta 

or

the same of grated yellow cheese

one egg

salt and lots of pepper

Pour a little olive oil into a pot and add chopped leeks.  Simmer till the leeks are soft and are no longer squeaky, about 10 minutes.  Take off the heat and add the chopped dill and crumbled feta.  When well mixed add the egg, salt and pepper and mix with a fork till well combined.  

Leave to cool

Roll out the dough into long strips.  Cut into squares and put a spoon full of filling in the middle.  Press the edges down well.

Brush with egg if you want to.  Bake about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Kali Orexi