Shelley's Bacon and Egg Pie

For my last night in New Zealand, my good friend Shelley made her famous Bacon and Egg Pie. Now I think she's makes best Bacon and Egg Pie and she was kind enough to give me her recipe.  She swears it is really simple and it seems to be, but she does have that magical something that makes hers better than anyone else's. This is a classic New Zealand cafe staple and there are many variations. Here's her classic recipe with lots of options to personalize it. It is one of those dishes that can quickly become a favorite.  This recipe can be cut in half to make an 8x8 inch pie, but I think it is delicious hot or cold so it's great for a quick breakfast and I think it is the perfect picnic dish too!

Shelley's Bacon and Egg Pie

1 pound of thick bacon (pick the meatiest kind you can find) cut up into 1 inch pieces

1 large onion, chopped

12 eggs

4 sheets Puff Pastry (2 Packages), thawed

Optional:  Spinach leaves, tomato slices, minced garlic, cut up red pepper, mushroom slices, etc.

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Put parchment paper in a 9 x 11 inch pan.  Place two sheets of puff pastry in the bottom of the pan and push in to fit with edges coming up the side. Pinch together the seam in the middle to seal.  Then put in the onion pieces across the bottom and then the bacon pieces.  Crack the eggs over the top and cut open the yolks with a sharp knife tip. Then sprinkle on peas.  Put the other to pastry pieces carefully on top, laying one on top of the other in the middle.  Then pinch together the bottom pastry to the top pastry and cut vent holes across the entire surface.  Bake for 25 - 30 minutes until the puff pastry is thoroughly browned.  

Five Element Analysis

Eggs are a Water food and so is bacon, so this is a very Watery dish!  The onions add the Metal Element and the Peas contribute the Earth Element. The puff pastry is made of wheat and so the Wood Element is represented too. Only the Fire Element is missing, so be sure to serve with some Tomato Sauce (Ketchup) as they do in New Zealand, a green salad and some coffee - a Flat White of course - or tea to make this a balanced snack or meal!