What is the traditional filling for spanakopita, and how does this recipe’s vegan version differ?
If you are searching for a flavorful and healthy Greek recipe to delight your palate, then you need to try making vegan Spanakopita! This traditional Greek dish is made with phyllo pastry, spinach, herbs, and feta cheese. But, to make it vegan we’ll replace the cheese with some equally tasty substitutes. In this recipe, we’ll use creamed cashews, nutritional yeast, and tofu. Not only for vegans, but it’s also a great recipe for vegetarians and anyone who wants to add variety to their diet. So, let’s begin!
Vegan Spanakopita Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 packet of phyllo pastry
- 2 cups of spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup of cashews, soaked
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/2 cup of tofu, crumbled
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
- Drain and rinse the soaked cashews.
- Place the cashews, 1/2 cup of water, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a blender. Blend until it becomes creamy.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the spinach with salt and pepper to taste, cook until it becomes wilted.
- Add the crumbled tofu and the creamy cashew sauce to the skillet, and mix well.
- Preheat your oven at 375F (190C).
- Unroll the phyllo pastry, and cut it into 6-inch squares.
- Brush each square with olive oil.
- Put a spoonful of spinach filling in the center of each square.
- Fold the phyllo into triangles, like a flag.
- Place the folded spanakopita triangles on a baking sheet, with some distance between them.
- Brush the tops of the triangles with more olive oil.
- Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the phyllo pastry is golden.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Bon Appetit!
There you have it, a delicious and healthy vegan spanakopita recipe that will transport your taste buds to the Greek islands. You can serve this dish as an appetizer, side dish or main dish along with a Greek salad, tzatziki sauce, and some olives. It’s a perfect recipe for a potluck dinner, a picnic, or a simple weekday dinner. Give it a try, and let us know what you think. Enjoy!
