Recipe: Vegetable Pie Filled with Spinach and Raisins

VEGETABLE PIE FILLED WITH SPINACH AND RAISINS

FOR SHELL
2 Russet potatoes, thinly sliced
2 tbl Olive oil
Salt, to taste
Freshly-ground black pepper, to taste

FOR FILLING
1 Onion
2 Carrots
1 Fennel bulb
1 tbl Minced ginger
1 tbl Minced garlic
3 tbl Olive oil
1 tbl Ras el hanout, (available at Middle Eastern groceries)
Salt, to taste
Freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup White wine
1/2 cup Raisins
2 bn Fresh spinach

FOR CRUST
1 cup Bulghur
1 cup Hot water
1 Orange
1 Lemon
1 bn Thyme
1/2 cup Walnuts
2 tsp Minced garlic
Salt, to taste
Freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
1 tbl Olive oil

Brush 4 gratin dishes with olive oil, arrange potatoes in the dishes, brush them with olive oil and season. Then prebake 5 to 6 minutes at 400 degrees. Prepare filling by sauteeing the vegetables and aromatics in olive oil until lightly caramelized. Stir in the ras el hanout and cook until strongly aromatic. Add wine and raisins and reduce until moist but not liquidy. Lightly wilt in spinach, adjust seasoning and fill in shells. Prepare crust by steeping bulghur with hot water then flavoring with citrus, walnuts toasted with garlic and olive oil. Season and mound over filling. Bake all for 12 minutes at 375 degrees. This recipe yields 4 servings.