HOLIDAY MEAT PIE

Kreatopeta

YIELD: 8 SERVINGS

This is a traditional Carnival time and Ascension Day recipe.

       2½ pounds lean boneless shoulder or leg of lamb, cut into cubes

       4½ cups warm water

       1 cup minced onions

       1½ cups chopped celery

       1½ cups minced parsley

       1 teaspoon minced garlic

       1 teaspoon minced fresh mint, or ½ teaspoon dried mint

       2 cups tomato sauce

       ½ cup olive oil

       1 teaspoon salt

       ½ teaspoon pepper

CRUST

       3½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted

       1 teaspoon salt

       3 tablespoons olive oil

       1 egg

       2 to 3 tablespoons warm water

       4 eggs

       1 cup grated kefalotiri or Parmesan cheese

       1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

       1 cup raw converted rice

       1 tablespoon each, butter and olive oil for greasing pan

       olive oil for brushing crust

Place meat in a large covered casserole with warm water; bring to a boil. Add the onions, celery, parsley, garlic, mint, tomato sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat for 1 hour.

While meat cooks, prepare the piecrust

Put sifted flour, salt, and olive oil into a bowl and mix well with a fork. Add egg. Gradually add warm water and stir until dough is well blended. Knead for 5 minutes, or until dough is firm. Chill thoroughly for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Remove lamb from heat. Beat 4 eggs lightly and add grated cheese and cinnamon. Mix well, and add to meat mixture, along with rice. Divide chilled dough into two balls. Roll each ball out on a lightly floured surface to ⅛-inch thickness, making one piece big enough to line a 15 x 11-inch baking pan with a lip to turn over the top. The other piece should be large enough to fit the top of the pan. Grease pan with butter and olive oil; line with the larger piece of dough. Pour in meat mixture, spreading evenly. Cover with the second crust, turning the lip of the lower crust over, and crimp the edges. Brush lightly with olive oil. Prick with a fork. Bake for 45 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Allow to set for a few minutes before cutting into squares.

Note: Crust can be prepared in a food processor. Combine all the ingredients and process until mixture forms a ball. Proceed as above.