Mapled Smoked ‘Beef’ & Spinach Pie

Best Ever Vegan Aloo Gobi ! Banana & Peanut Breakfast Loaf

Mapled Smoked ‘Beef’ & Spinach Pie

Serves 2-3 hungry eaters

It was most difficult to title this pie because the filling has so many exotic flavours, and it’s simply addictive. Slight sweet tones from the maple, and smoky undertones from the smoked paprika, as well as other interesting culinary dimensions – this pie will be a ‘go-to again and again’ recipe for the cold winter months. My daughter had seconds so it really must have hit the mark – a successful recipe with the thumbs up from everyone for more !

INGREDIENTS

1 large onion, very thinly sliced

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 ½ cups faux meat of your choice, be it frozen or otherwise

2 cups fresh spinach, or 1 cup frozen spinach, pre-cooked

½ cup petit pois (baby frozen peas)

2 Tbsp tomato puree

around 3 Tbsp olive oil

¼+ cup (50-60 ml) water

3 Tbsp maple syrup

¾ tsp ground smoked paprika

4 Tbsp (60 ml) dark soya sauce

2 tsp miso

2 Tbsp (30 ml) balsamic vinegar

¼ tsp ground coriander

¼ tsp garam masala

500g shortcrust pastry – if using frozen, please thaw first (I used Jus-Rol vegan dough – one pack yields the perfect amount for this pie)

plain flour, for dusting when rolling out the dough

soya milk, for brushing onto the dough pre-baking

METHOD

You will need a suitable ovenproof dish – mine was 9½ x 7 x 2½ inches.

First, heat up your oil in a saucepan or small wok, then fry your onion.

Add the garlic and the tomato puree, and stir in the spices. Allow to cook whilst mixing for a minute or two, then add the fake meat and the remaining ingredients one at a time (water last, and not at this point).

Cover and allow to cook for 15 minutes, adding a little bit of water. You should be left with a thick, rich filling. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Leave to cool.

Meantime pre heat your oven to 355ºF (180ºC), then roll your dough, and line your pre-greased dish, leaving enough pastry for the top. Spoon in your filling, then roll and place the last piece of dough on top – make a cross with a sharp knife, and push down the edges of the pastry with the edge of a fork.

Cover with foil, and place in the oven for half an hour, then remove, brush with vegan milk, and return to the oven until golden.

Remove from the oven, and allow to breathe for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.