Vege pies with polenta

These warming vegetable pies are packed with goodness and flavour and are topped with gorgeous, cheesy polenta, making them hearty and satisfying for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Serves: 4

Time to make: 45 mins

Ingredients

More weights & measures

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled, chopped

2 stalks celery, trimmed, chopped

1 red capsicum, chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 cloves garlic, crushed

pinch dried chilli flakes

¼ cup no-added-salt tomato paste

400g can no-added-salt diced tomatoes

⅓ cup chopped fresh basil

75g fresh baby spinach

400g can borlotti beans, drained, rinsed

2 cups skim milk

¾ cup polenta

1 lemon, 1 teaspoon finely grated zest

¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

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1 Heat oil in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat. Cook onion, carrots, celery and capsicum for 5-7 minutes until vegetables start to soften. Add oregano, garlic and chilli flakes. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute until fragrant.

2 Add tomato paste, tomatoes and 1/2 cup cold water. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes until vegetables are cooked through and sauce thickens. Add basil, spinach and beans. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute until heated through.

3 Meanwhile, combine milk and 1 cup cold water in a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to the boil over a medium-high heat. Slowly pour in polenta, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest. Stand for 2 minutes until thickened slightly.

4 Preheat grill to high. Spoon bean mixture into 4 x 2-cup-capacity ovenproof dishes (or an 8-cup-capacity ovenproof dish). Top with polenta. Sprinkle with parmesan. Grill for 5 minutes until cheese melts and starts to brown.

Serving suggestion

Green salad

Variations

Try these pies with mashed kumara instead of polenta.
Replace borlotti beans with canned lentils or kidney beans.

Nutrition Info (per serve)

Calories 225 cal

Kilojoules 940 kJ

Protein 17 g

Total fat 5 g

Saturated fat 2 g

Carbohydrates 45 g

Sugar 19 g

Dietary fibre 9 g

Sodium 380 mg

Calcium 360 mg

Iron 3.5 mg

Note: This nutrition analysis is a guide only. Nutrition composition will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. See our guides on your optimal daily nutrition intake, and supermarket shopping.