Italian Easter Pie

http://weeklyveganmenu.blogspot.com/2010/06/thursday-dinner-artichoke-and-sun-dried.html

www.WeeklyVeganMenu.blogspot.com

This recipe is in three parts: crust, ricotta, and filling.

Crust:

1 c white flour

1 c whole wheat flour

1/2 c Earth Balance (1 stick)

1 t each oregano, basil, sea salt, sugar

1/4 c ice cold water

In a food processor (or by hand) pulse flours, Earth Balance, oregano, basil, salt and sugar a few times, until ‘butter’ looks like peas.

Add the water and pulse about 15-20 times. You should be able to grab some dough, squeeze in your hand and having it hold together well. If not, add a teaspoon at a time until it does. Wrap in plastic or wax wrap and refrigerate until the filling is ready.

Tofu Ricotta:

1/2 c almonds, cashew or any white nut

1 lb (package) soft tofu, rinsed

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/2 t salt

1 t each oregano, basil

In a blender, process the nuts well.

Add tofu, lemon juice, salt, oregano and basil. Blend. You will have to stop the blender and push the tofu down a few times. Blend well.

Filling:

1 t to 1 T olive oil

1/4 onion, minced

2 c (give or take) sausage, minced (homemade, Tofurkey, or Field Roast)

2 garlic, minced

1/4 c rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes, minced

1 bunch (4-6 c ) spinach

pepper

On high heat, add oil in a medium pan (love cast iron pan), onion, and sausage. Cook until sausage is nicely browned.

Add garlic, sun-tomatoes, spinach and fresh ground pepper. Cook, mixing, until spinach wilts.

Assemble:

Preheat oven to 350. Divide the crust into 2, and roll it into 2 circles. Place one crust in a pie pan, removing the excess dough hanging over. Mix the ricotta and the filling in a large bowl.Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add filling to the pie pan. Top with the second crust, tucking extra dough hanging into the pie pan. Cut steam holes in the dough, spray with olive oil spray, bake 350 for 60 minutes, until crust is golden brown. If by 60 minutes crust is not brown enough, broil for a few minutes on the middle rack. Watch carefully.