Dead Letter Circus, I Am Austin and a Potato, Leek and Feta Pie

Prior to my recent leek extravaganza the only thing I knew about the country of Wales was that all the people who live there look like vampires (dark hair, pale skin). I learned this from a clueless American girl who was flirting with some Welshmen on a bus back from Machu Picchu. Now I know that each year, on March 1st, the people of Wales celebrate St. David's Day in honor of their country's patron saint. Festivities include singing, small parades, and daffodil or leek wearing. Why the leek? Legend suggests that in an ancient battle against the Saxons, the Welsh were ordered to distinguish themselves by wearing leeks on their helmets and the tradition has stuck.

Last week, while J-Fur and I were cooking up our leek pie, there was no helmet wearing going on, but there were a lot of leek related festivities. One of which is my recipe of the week:

Potato, Leek and Feta Pie (adapted from Real Simple)
(printable recipe)

For the Filling:

-1 Tbsp olive oil

-2 leeks, chopped

-2 small zucchini, chopped

-2/3 cup of Feta Cheese

-2 Tbsp. of dill

-2 red potatoes, sliced thin

-salt and pepper

For the Pie Crust:

I used the Pate Brisee Recipe located here

1. In a large skillet saute the leeks and zucchini until tender. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, feta and dill.

2. Combine leek mixture with potatoes. Toss.

3. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, roll out the pie crust (should be about 12 inches in diameter). Move the parchment paper and pie crust to a baking sheet. Leaving a border at the edge of the crust, spoon the potato mixture onto the crust. Fold the edge of the crust over to the edge of the potato mixture.

4. Bake for one hour at 375 degrees.

Also cooking up a leek pie, though not vegetarian like mine, is Australia's Dead Letter Circus in the video for their new single "The Space on the Wall." I have to love a drummer willing to bang with sausage. "Space" comes from their debut, self-titled album, which is out now.

I Am Austin is a band that you may catch wearing leeks on March 1st (the long way of saying that they are Welsh). Here is their first video ever, "Zombie Town," released earlier this year. My love of sausage drumming is topped by only one things, flesh eating reanimators.