Kinkkupiirakka Finnish Ham & Cheese Pie
An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Serves: 6-8
For base:
- 350g/12.4ozs. flour
- 150g/5ozs. cold butter, cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 175ml/6flozs. buttermilk or milk
For topping
- 1-2 tablespoons oil
- 1 leek, white part only, split in half and rinsed well of dirt
- 350g/12.4ozs. sliced ham
- 1 medium red capsicum, around 300g/10.6ozs.
- 180g/6ozs. grated tasty cheese
- 150ml/5flozs. cream or sour cream
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons parsley and chives
Step 1 - Preheat oven to 200C/400F. First make the base. Pulse the flour, butter and salt together in a food processor until it becomes sandy in texture. Add the buttermilk and pulse until it comes together to form a dough.
Step 2 - Oil a 30x20cm/12x7.8inch baking tin on the base and sides and press the pastry down spreading it out (it doesn't have to be perfectly smooth as you can see). Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.
Step 3 - While the base is baking make the topping. Chop the ham and leek and add oil to a frypan and sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened. Dice capsicum and add to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Mix with the cheese and spread over the cooked base.
Step 4 - Whisk the cream and egg together with the chives. Pour over the ham and leek filling and spread out to the sides. Bake in a 170C/340F oven for 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm or cold.