Vegan Quiche

This recipe was inspired by the mysterious massive zucchinis that grew in our garden. I'm not going to lie, I've never been a fan of zucchini, and with so many (not to mention their mammoth size), I wasn't sure what to do with them - and I definitely wasn't going to let them rot outside! So, together, my mom and I got her old quiche recipe and decided to make it vegan! All the goodness, just adding tofu (also an excuse for me to try to find a way to like tofu).

I definitely would have made my own puff pastry, but we didn't have the appropriate ingredients and just went with what we had. Besides that and the tofu, the rest is all natural ingredients grown in our own backyard mixed together to create an explosive combination of flavors and textures.

Perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner, this is a protein and nutrient-rich meal that the whole family is sure to love. And what's more: it's easy to make!

Ingredients:

• Vegan puff pastry

• 500g tofu (I always use hard, but you can use any type)

• 2tbsp olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 200g button mushrooms

• 2 cups fresh spinach

• 2 cups zucchini (I spiralized mine)

• 1/2 bell pepper (I prefer red)

• 1/2 tsp turmeric

• 1/2 tsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp oregano

• 1-2 tbsp unsweetened plant milk (I used almond milk)

• 1tbsp ground flax

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200ºC

2. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes until lightly golden.

3. Add in mushrooms and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until browned.

4. Add in spinach and zucchini with some pepper and cook until just softened for about 3-4 minutes

5. Remove sauté from heat and set aside.

6. Break up the tofu into crumbles and add to a food processor along with the spices, milk, and flax. Process until the mixture is smooth. If it's too thick and doesn't smooth out, add 1 more tablespoon of milk

7. Pour mixture into a mixing bowl and fold in the veggie mix until well combined.

8. Line baking mold with puff pastry and place the mixture over it. Spread evenly. Add over chopped bell pepper strips and press down so they are slightly in the mixture.

9. If you want, add strips of puff pastry over to form a design, and bake in oven for 30-40 minutes until the quiche firms up and goldens.

10. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes before cutting.