Ingredients:
For the Creamy Spinach Filling:
– 1 teaspoon oil
– 2 tablespoons chopped onion
– 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour or gluten-free alternative
– 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste or 3 cloves garlic and 1/2 inch ginger minced
– 1/2 teaspoon pepper flakes
– 6 ounces frozen spinach, thawed
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri garam masala or regular garam masala
– 3 tablespoons non-dairy cream cheese
– 1/2 cup (118.29 ml) non-dairy milk
For the Puff Pastry:
– 9×9” puff pastry sheet, thawed for 15 minutes
– 1 teaspoon maple syrup
– 1 teaspoon non-dairy milk
Optional Toppings:
– 2 tablespoons vegan parmesan
– Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions:
1. Start by preparing the spinach mixture. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion with a pinch of salt until it starts turning translucent, about 4 minutes. Mix in the flour and cook briefly, then add the ginger-garlic paste and red pepper flakes. Stir in the spinach, salt, Kashmiri garam masala, and cook until the spinach reaches your preferred consistency, roughly 3-5 minutes. If the spinach is frozen, ensure it’s fully cooked without any raw smell.
2. Incorporate the vegan cream cheese and non-dairy milk into the spinach. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. If the frozen spinach dominates the color, you can add more cream cheese after the mixture cools slightly to bring out its creaminess.
3. As the spinach mixture cools, prepare the puff pastry. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Sprinkle some flour on the puff pastry sheet and roll it out into an 11×11” or slightly larger square or rectangle. Use a pizza cutter to slice it into 2 1/2” to 3” squares or rectangles. Place these on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. In a bowl, combine maple syrup and non-dairy milk. Brush this mixture over the puff pastry squares. Spoon the spinach mixture into the center of each square evenly. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes until they turn golden and crispy along the edges. Allow the edges to become nicely golden and crisp due to the maple syrup.
5. Once out of the oven, optionally top the pastries with vegan parmesan and fresh herbs like cilantro. Serve and enjoy your Indian Spiced Spinach Puff Pastry Pie!