Potato Spinach and Cheddar Cheese Pie

Gold Member Joined: Jan 27 2010 Posts: 1437

From a blog: I made this before the fast using a frozen pie crust and real cheddar cheese and it was easy and yummy.

You�ll need:

pie crust!

�1 stick Earth Balance shortening
�1 stick Earth Balance buttery stick
�12 oz flour (about 2 1/2 cups)
�2 tsp salt
�2 tsp sugar
�2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
�8 Tbsp ice cold water, mixed with the vinegar, plus 4 Tbsp reserved
filling!

�2 lbs or so, maybe less, yukon gold or russet potatoes, washed, peeled, and sliced to 1/4 inch thickness
�1 lb spinach
�1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
�2 cloves garlic, crushed
�1/8 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
�2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
�1/4 lb Daiya shredded cheddar flavored cheese substitute (now available at Rainbow!)
�salt
�pepper

To make the pie dough:

1.Cut the Earth Balance sticks into small cubes and put them in the freezer while you prepare everything else.
2.Mix the flour, salt, and sugar.
3.Using a food processor (use the pulse setting) or hand pastry blender, cut the very cold Earth Balance cubes into the flour mixture until the shortening pieces aren�t much bigger than peas.If using a food processor, transfer to a bowl.
4.Slowly add the apple cider vinegar and ice water, and gently but quickly mix until the dough forms a ball. I use my hands. Add more ice water as necessary.
5.Divide into two balls, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap and throw into the refrigerator. Chill dough for at least an hour.
6.After the dough is chilled, remove from fridge, liberally flour a clean surface, roll out one disk and line a 9-inch pie pan. Trim edges that hang over so only about 1 inch hangs out. Put back in the fridge.

1.Heat the red pepper and the garlic in the olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add washed spinach and slowly turn to wilt all of it. Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste�definitely over-season. Transfer to bowl, chop with kitchen sheers if using adult spinach (as opposed to baby spinach).
2.Line the dough-lined pie tin with a layer of sliced potatoes; sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
3.Liberally sprinkle Daiya �cheese.�
4.Layer spinach.
5.Add another layer of potatoes; sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
6.Add more spinach and Daiya; repeat until the pie is filled.
7.Roll out second dough disk, place on top of pie, trim edges, fold under other dough disk�s edges, crimp and flute. Wet your fingers with a little ice-cold water during this process if you wish, and maybe even sprinkle the pie with a little kosher salt (be light). Cut pretty slits in the top.
8.Put back in fridge, preheat oven to 425 degrees while your pie is chilling. Bake the pie at this temperature for 20 minutes; then lower temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 35 minutes or until crust looks golden and gorgeous.
9.Let it cool on a rack for 20 minutes or more until you slice into it.