Chef Joey's Spanakopita Casserole (Dairy Free)

Chef Joey Z.'s Note:

This casserole has a bit more in it then just spinach. All the greens are organic and came out of our garden so this should taste really fresh. I don't use dairy so I used Vegan Monterrey Jack cheese, but you can use whatever you kind you like. Make sure you totally cool the greens mixture before adding it to the cheese and eggs, you don't want to scramble the eggs!!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 25 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 4 large garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 large onion (chopped medium)
• 3 medium potatoes (sliced thick and boiled)
• 2 large shallots (chopped fine)
• 1 cup chicken broth (organic)
• 1 lb spinach (rinsed and chopped)
• 1/2 lb kale (ribs removed, rinsed and chopped)
• 1/2 lb nettles (removed the thicker stems)
• 10 ounces brick vegan cheese (shredded)
• 2 eggs (organic-beaten)
• 1 (17 1/3 ounce) box puff pastry (I used Pepperdige Farm 2- Sheets-thawed)
• 14 ounces white button mushrooms
• 1/8 teaspoon liquid smoke
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Remove the puff pastry from its package and let it thaw for at least 40 minutes.
2. Cut up your potato and add enough water to cover. Boil until fork tender.
3. In the mean time, melt the coconut oil in a large saute pan.
4. Saute the onion for a few minutes, then add the shallots and garlic, saute until all are transparent.
5. Add the cleaned spinach, kale and nettles. I found I had to add them a little at a time to the saute pan because there was so much.
6. Add the chicken broth into the saute pan as you add the greens. When the greens mixture is totally cooked remove from the saute pan and set aside to cool. The chicken broth should have reduced down considerably. Don't use the liquid if there is any left, just discard it or use it in something else.
7. Shred the cheese and add the eggs and combine well and set aside.
8. Check the puff pastry to see if its thawed out enough to roll. If it is, take one of the sheets and roll it out to fit into a 9x9" casserole dish. Make sure you get all the air bubbles out from under it while placing it in the casserole dish.
9. Combine the cooled greens/onion/garlic mixture in the cheese and egg mixture. You might want to stick this in the freezer for 5 minutes to help it cool faster. Don't forget its in there, you don't want it to freeze.
10. Add a little more coconut oil to the saute pan and saute the mushrooms until they get soft, then add the liquid smoke. Mix it up a little more.
11. Remove the greens from the freezer if they're still in there.
12. Layer the mushrooms on the bottom of the casserole first. Then the greens/onion/garlic mixture. Then the potatoes that you cooked.
13. Salt and pepper the potatoes.
14. The 9 x 9" casserole dish should be full to the top. Fold the sides of the puff pastry over on top of the potatoes and add the top piece of puff pastry tucking the sides inches This will keep the juices inches You don't have to roll out the top piece of pastry, it should fit perfectly on the top of the casserole.
15. Brush the top of the pastry with beaten egg if you wish. It makes the top look nice and golden brown.
16. Bake in a 350'F oven for 40 minutes.
17. When you take the casserole out the top will probably be puffed up. Just let it sit and cool on a wire rack, the top will drop down.
18. Serve hot.
19. Bon Appetit!

Reviews

[Spice Guru]

This is a great recipe. I went off the beaten path and tried someone else's Spanakopita recipe for once due to a lactose-intolerant relative -- and we weren't not disappointed at all! I Love the subtle flavors of the coconut oil and the liquid smoke. Great job!