Scrumptious pie treats

A pie doesn’t always have to be bought from a pastry shop. Baking a pie at home can be a rewarding experience. Some special ingredients may need to be purchased from food specialty stores, well-stocked hypermarkets and/or online. So if your family is craving for a change from Indian cuisine, try these simple pie recipes at home. – Parvathy Menon ZUCCHINI PIE Ingredients + 3 cups diced zucchini + 1 chopped onion + 4 eggs, well-beaten + 1 cup buttermilk + 1 tsp baking powder + 1/2 cup vegetable oil + 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese + 1/2 tsp dried oregano + 1 tsp chopped parsley + Ground black pepper to taste Preparation guide + Preheat oven to 350°F of (175°C). Grease a 10×6-inch pan or a 12-inch pie plate. + Mix zucchini, onion, eggs, buttermilk, baking powder, and vegetable oil in a bowl. + Add the Parmesan cheese, parsley and pepper; mix well. + Spread into a baking dish. + Bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly brown. Health benefits Zucchini contains fibre, electrolytes, and other nutrients that improve digestion.   STRAWBERRY PIE Ingredients + 2-3/4 cups crushed crackers + 1 cup sugar, divided + 1/2 cup melted butter + 2 cups fresh sliced strawberries + 1 tsp lemon juice + 1 tsp grated lemon zest + 1/4 cup cold water + 50 gm unflavored gelatin + 500 gm softened cream cheese + 1/2 cup heavy whipped cream + Lemon slices, optional + Chopped strawberries for garnishing Preparation Guide + Preheat oven to 180°C. Blend crushed crackers and 1/4 cup sugar with melted butter. + Using the bottom of a glass, press cracker mixture to bottom and up the sides of a greased 9-inch deep dish pie plate. + Bake until set, for 15-18 minutes. + Cool on a wire rack. + Mix strawberries, 1/2 cup sugar, lemon juice and zest; leave for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; leave for 5 minutes. + Transfer the strawberry mixture to a food processor or blender; pulse until smooth. + Microwave gelatin until melted, about 10 seconds; stir into the strawberry mixture. + Beat cream cheese and the remaining sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in cream and strawberry mixture. Transfer the filling to the crust. Refrigerate, until set, about 2 hours. + Garnish with lemon slices and chopped strawberry pieces. HEALTH BENEFITS Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, folate and potassium, boosting the immune system. Strawberries provide iron, folate, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and vitamin C. The cream is rich in calcium and good for bone growth. BANANA CREAM PIE Ingredients + 175 gm chopped bittersweet chocolate + 2 tbsp virgin coconut oil + 1 packet digestive biscuits (after crushing they should be enough to cover the base of a nine inch pie pan) + 2 medium bananas sliced + 1/2 tsp lemon juice + 1/2 cup pineapple ice cream topping + 900 ml softened strawberry ice cream + 2 cups whipped topping + 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts…