Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust

On our very first date ever, Todd brought over a cheese and bacon quiche and a bottle of wine. I still tell him that was the moment that he tricked me into thinking he cooks! You see, he later much later professed that his uncle (who is possibly more devious than Todd) helped him make said quiche. It was supposed to impress me...and it did.  A quiche! Oooo la la. I don't even know if I had ever made a quiche at that point! I've never been real big on eggs, so that's probably a just explanation. Well, our very first date was on November 23 only four short years ago and so we decided it would be kind of fun to make a quiche to celebrate. However, being vegan that really didn't seem very appropriate. However, would you be surprised to know that one doesn't have to use eggs to make a quiche?! That's right! Eggs don't make the rules and they certainly aren't needed to make a great quiche. You're not the boss of me, eggs! I'll make a quiche if I want to!

Quiche always seems a little intimidating, doesn't it? Well, you'll feel silly for thinking that after you bust out this awesome quiche like a pro

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Sauteed vegetables nestled in a smooth tofu filling and baked in a herbed, flaxseed-studded wheat crust. This quiche is creamy, healthy and a bit fancy pants. Oh yes! It's also shockingly fast and incredibly easy.

Surprise baby shower!? Impromptu ladies night?! No problem! You've got it handled with this awesome and downright snobby dish. They'll think you slaved over it for hours. 

Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust

Inspired by Veggieful

Serves 6

  • --Crust--
  • 2 cups whole-wheat white flour
  • 2 Tbsp. whole flax seeds 
  • 2 tsp. Italian herbs
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • --Veggies--
  • 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced small
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 oz. small button mushrooms, chopped
  • 4 sun dried tomatoes (dry packed), thinly sliced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced small
  • 1 large handful of fresh spinach
  • 2 tsp. dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
  • --Tofu--
  • 1 14 oz. block of extra firm tofu, drained
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 cup plain unsweetened soymilk
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a tart pan with a nonstick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, add the dry ingredients for the crust and whisk to combine. Then, drizzle in the water and oil while stirring (don't use the whisk for this bit). Stir until just combined.

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustForm a ball with the dough and place on a solid surface. Knead about 6-8 times, then roll out with a rolling pin to a circle larger than your tart pan.

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustPress the dough into the tart pan, ensuring that the edges make it all the way up to the top edge of the pan. Poke with a fork several times and allow to bake at 350 F for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. Leave the oven on. 

Heat the olive oil for the vegetables in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Add in the onion and garlic and saute for about 5 minutes. Then add in the mushrooms and saute for 3 minutes. Now, add in the remaining ingredients for the vegetables and saute for another 5 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted then remove from heat. 

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustIn a food processor, add in all the tofu ingredients and processor for about 3 minutes, or until silky smooth. Then, add the tofu mixture into the vegetable mixture and stir well to combine. 

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustAdd the tofu/vegetable mixture into the pre-cooked crust and smooth over with a spatula.

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustBake at 350 F for about 30-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the quiche is set. Place on a cooling rack and allow to sit for about 10-15 minutes before serving. 

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustProduce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust

Cut into slices and serve warm, room temperature or chilled. Whatever pleases you most! 

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust

Listening to Haim – The Wire

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Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin Pie

I love me some pumpkin pie. Do you know what I love even more than my go-to Thanksgiving pumpkin pie? Pumpkin pie that tastes like my definitely-not-healthy and definitely-not-vegan pumpkin pie, but is actually super healthy! There's times when, yes, it can be almost criminal to conjure up some "healthified" version of a cake, pie, cookie or whathaveyou. My birthday cake? That's no healthy affair.   Yep, if there's ever been a pumpkin pie purist...it's me. The recipe from the back of the Libby's pumpkin puree can. Every time. No straying. Don't be messin' with my pumpkin pie! 

But this pumpkin pie. Oh my goodness. Why keep making an unhealthy, sugar and cholesterol laden dessert when you can have this one? Why?? Just look at it. It's perfect! I couldn't believe how wonderful the texture was and how the pecan crust perfectly complimented it. 

Produce On Parade - Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin Pie

And it's even better than my old Libby's recipe. Also, it features a wholesome pecan crust. This recipe couldn't be healthier, easier or tastier! 

Produce On Parade - Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin Pie

Oh and did I mention that it's vegan, sugar-free (except for the fruit) and healthy? Whips up in a snap ta boot. Clean eating at it's finest.

I grinned the most impish, ludicrous grin when I asked Todd how he liked it and then told him it didn't have any added sugar or animal products. Muah-ha-ha! He couldn't tell the difference. A wonderful success!

Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin Pie

Inspired by NutritionFacts.org

Makes 1 pie

  • --Crust--
  • 1 cup pecans
  • 3-5 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 Tbsp. coconut four (or 1 1/2 Tbsp. of other flour)
  • splash of maple syrup (optional)
  • a pinch of kosher salt
  • --Filling--
  • 1 15 oz. can of canned pumpkin
  • 1 12 oz. box of silken tofu, drained
  • 12-16 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
  • a few gratings of nutmeg (to taste)
  • 10 drops of liquid Stevia (optional)
  • --Notes--
  • I like the Mori-Nu boxed tofu. It doesn't have a "tofu" taste at all. It's found usually on the shelf (non-refrigerated) in the organic section. 

In a food processor, combine the crust ingredients and process for about 3 minutes. The dough should stick together when pressed between your fingers. 

Produce On Parade - Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin PieProduce On Parade - Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin Pie

In a pie dish coated with a non-stick cooking spray, press the dough to make the crust. Set aside until ready for the filling. 

Produce On Parade - Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin PiePreheat oven to 350 F. 

Wash out the food processor and add in the filling ingredients. Process for about 3-5 minutes or until the dates are just tiny little specks. The filling should be very smooth.

Produce On Parade - Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin PieScoop the filling onto the crust and smooth over with a spatula. Bake at 350 F for about 30 minutes. If the top of the crust looks like it's getting a little too brown you can add some strips of tinfoil or a pie crust protector over it. 

Produce On Parade - Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin PieRemove from oven and chill completely before serving.

Produce On Parade - Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin PieIf you'd like to serve it with whipped cream, Oh She Glows has an excellent tutorial for Coconut Whipped Cream

Produce On Parade - Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin PieMy whipped cream...eh, it didn't work out as planned. But that's okay, it was still delicious! 

Produce On Parade - Simple & Healthy Pecan Pumpkin PieListening to Iron & Wine – Flightless Bird, American MouthisRecipe Card

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