Patatopita, Potato Pie

Based on Athanasia Moraitis’, my late mother in law’s, recipe, which, according to Costas was a dish his grandmother taught his mother to make. It resembles Gratin Dauphinois, or a potato frittata with olive oil and feta cheese. It is addictive and because we cannot stop eating it, we don’t make it often…

 

 

Serves 8-10

 

1 cup olive oil

 

4 tablespoons toasted whole-wheat breadcrumbs

 

5 pounds medium baking potatoes, thinly sliced (1/4 inch)

 

3-4 cups water or chicken stock

 

1 cup yogurt

 

5 eggs, lightly beaten

 

1 pound feta cheese, crumbled

 

2-3 teaspoons Aleppo or plenty of freshly ground black pepper

 

Salt

 

3 tablespoons milk

 

 

Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C).

Oil a large 13 inch round (or equivalent square pan) and sprinkle with half the breadcrumbs.

 

In a large pot cook the potatoes in water or stock that just covers them, for 10 minutes and drain.

 

Lay half the potatoes in the pan.

 

In a bowl mix the oil with the yogurt and eggs –reserving 3 tablespoons of the eggs— the cheese and plenty of pepper. Taste and add salt if needed –usually feta is quite salty.

 

 

 

Pour a little less than half the egg and cheese mixture over the layer of potatoes. Arrange the remaining potatoes on top, and pour the rest of the egg-cheese mixture over them. In a bowl mix the remaining egg with the milk and pour over potatoes, sprinkling with the rest of the breadcrumbs.

 

Bake for 10 minutes, reduce the temperature to 375 and continue baking for about 50 minutes, until golden brown and firm.

 

Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.