Monday, August 8, 2011

Vegan Rolled Spanakopita Binded by Kevin Devine, San Cisco and the Jezabels

Last week I was determined to create a "fasting" or vegan version of Spanakopita. Something that the Great Lent King could be proud of. The first batch I ate entirely myself as it wasn't fit for other human consumption (a little off the deep end with the dill). The second go round used less dill and really gave the Great Lent King fits as I meshed it into rolled form reminiscent of a flaky burrito. In the end, the Great Lent King said that his concern was only on taste and the second batch definitely heeded its call.


Vegan Spanakopita Rolls

-olive oil
-1 onion, small dice
-1 bunch of scallions, diced
-16 ounces spinach
-2 Tbs nutritional yeast
-1 Tbs miso paste
-1 block soft tofu, crumbled
-1/4 tsp nutmeg
-salt and pepper (to taste)
-10 sheets phyllo dough

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the onion and scallions and saute for five minutes or until the onion becomes translucent. Drop in the spinach and saute for an additional five minutes, stirring often.

3. Stir in the nutritional yeast, miso paste, soft tofu, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Continue cooking for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

4. Take two phyllo sheets and fold them in half. Layer on the spinach mixture. Wrap the phyllo dough around it. Place the wrapped spanakopita on a baking sheet. Brush heartily with olive oil. Repeat until the spinach mixture has been completely used (I was able to make five wraps out of it).

5. Bake for 20 minutes or until phyllo is golden brown. Sacrifice it to the hunger gods.

Seeing that Vegan Spanakopita had a religious basis in some places and at certain times of the year I listened a lot to Kevin Devine's "Between the Concrete and the Clouds" (the first single from his upcoming album with the same name). The song relates the religious transformation that some people go through during their lifetime, jumping from one to the next, and the questioning that an outsider viewing this movement would have. I love the politics that play out in Kevin's work and can't wait for the new album (due out Sept. 13th).


A little more upbeat and summery and just as great to make rolled spanakopita to, are the new songs from San Cisco and the Jezabels (here). San Cisco is an Australian band that released an EP, Golden Revolver, earlier this year. They also skateboard and like the Nintendo 64 but their indie pop is what caught my attention. "Golden Revolver" comes from, of course, the EP with the same name.




The Jezabels and their moody style of pop music also hail from Australia. The band is touring the world in support of their upcoming debut LP Prisoner. The US and Canadian leg of the tour will also feature Canadian indie rock band Hey Rosetta! "Endless Summer" comes from the new LP which will be released on September 16th.


2 comments:

  1. I've only had the Vegan with a Vengeance version, but I love your addition of miso. If I ever make spankoepita again, I'll try yours!

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  2. Spanakopita! I love that stuff! OMG!

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