9 grete pye recipes

Shortcut beef pot pie with canned beef stew and store-bought pie crust, topped with Parmesan and parsley. A 45-minute weeknight comfort dinner.

Spaghetti tossed with black-eyed peas, artichoke hearts, black olives, and Parmesan in a garlicky bean broth. A hearty, protein-packed meatless pasta dinner in 30 minutes.

Low-cholesterol salmon quiche made with egg whites, cottage cheese, and canned salmon, plus green pepper and scallions in a flaky crust. Heart-smart brunch protein without yolks.

Black-eyed pea and rice salad with a Dijon red wine vinaigrette, grated carrot, and fresh herbs. A make-ahead vegetarian salad served at room temperature.

Instead of store-bought pie crust, we made our own with most whole wheat flour and olive oil, which made the crust a lot healthier with flaky texture and delicious flavor. Now enjoy this juicy-fruity pie without feeling guilty at all.

Vegan mincemeat pie uses steamed tempeh as the meat-free base alongside apples, raisins, currants, dates, pecans, and maple syrup. Whole wheat pastry crust keeps the holiday classic plant-based.

Quebec apple dumplings wrap whole apples in cheddar pastry, each cored and stuffed with rum-spiked mincemeat. Brushed with a brown sugar and lemon cream glaze, baked golden, and served warm with rum cream.

Lemon meringue pie from cooking school is the textbook version with a hand-rolled crust, cornstarch-and-flour curd, and a stable French meringue sealed to the crust. Detailed technique guarantees no weeping.

Polenta pie sets a rosemary corn polenta crust in a springform pan, then layers grilled squash, eggplant, and roasted peppers inside. A vegetarian Italian showpiece, served chilled.