Vegan Spanakopita! – VeganMoFo

Hallelujah! Sweet baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph. These are just a few things that went through my head as I dug into one of my all time favourite dishes – veganised! I had been wanting to try and make vegan spanakopitas for a while and I’m so glad I did. I used a blend of vegan cream cheese and firm tofu to make the ricotta/feta style cheese that is usually used and it turned out SO well!

Makes: Around 14 – 18 triangles, depending on how large you make them

• 1 packet phyllo pastry
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 3 spring onions/scallions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 large bunch of both parsley and dill
• Approx. 450g fresh baby spinach, washed and dried well.
• 1 tub vegan cream cheese
• 1/2 packet of firm, pressed tofu
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• Oil for brushing

Method:

Mix together in a medium bowl the cream cheese, tofu, nutritional yeast (if using) and some salt and pepper. Mash this with a fork until you have a crumbly like texture. Now you want to saute the greens – start by heating some oil in a large wok or frying pan and toss in the onions and garlic. After they have browned a little (a few minutes) add in the spinach and herbs.

After the spinach has wilted, add to the pan your tofu and cream cheese mix. Stir to combine. Now remove from the heat and allow to cool down a little. Pre-heat the oven now for 350F/180C/gas mark 4.

To make the triangles, lay out your pastry and cut lengthways into thirds or half, depending on how large you like your triangles. Brush the sides with oil and place a heaped tablespoon of mixture onto the bottom right corner. Now take that corner and fold over the mixture to the left and then take the new bottom left-hand corner and fold directly up so that corner stays to the left. Now repeat the process until you come to the end. Sounds tricky? It isn’t, check out the photos!

Assemble on a large baking sheet, brush with a little extra oil and cook in the oven for about 20 – 25 mins, or until they are golden in colour.

These are so delicious and stay well until the next day so they are great to take to a party or dinner. Everyone will love them!