Spinach-Tofu
"Flan"
Ingredients -- Vegan depending if you use butter in the crust
The recipe produces a dish
somewhat like a Quiche, with a dry crust. But the
original recipe called it a "Flan" because it doesn't
contain cheese or eggs. My observation is that the
dish ended up somewhat like a pizza with a bit of
non-dairy cheese flavor. It would be fine to put
on some pizza toppings, such as thinly sliced tomatoes
or mushrooms, or pepperoni if desired. If the
topping slices or the flan layer are too thick, the
crust will be soggy instead of crispy. Or, you
could try the breakfast route instead.
Crust -- this
amount of flour lines an 8-inch circular pie
pan. Use more if baking for a larger
pan.
Alternatively, sometimes bake-at-home keto
pizza crusts (typically cauliflower) are
available in grocery stores. Or, as
described for other recipes on this page,
brush several sheets of Phyllo dough with
warm melted butter, then line a baking pan
or dish with them. To make your own
crust:
- 1/4 cup keto flour, such as coconut flour,
quinoa flour, or almond flour
- 2 Tbsp keto cooking oil, such as avocado oil
- 4 Tbsp butter, or a heavy keto oil such as
coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 to 3 Tbsp water
- pinch of salt
Mix the cooking oil and
the water in a pan, keeping it cool to
room temperature. Mix the flour, baking
powder, and salt together in a large bowl,
then rub in the butter (or coconut) until
the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Add the liquid mixture and stir into the
flour, adding more water if necessary. The
dough should be of a wet-ish consistency.
Set aside under the upturned bowl for 30
minutes.
Roll out the dough and line an 8-inch tart
pan or pie plate. Prick the base all over
with a fork and then toast/bake "blind" in
the oven for 5-6 minutes (not caring if it
browns or gets singed).
Topping
- 8 ounces fresh spinach
- 2 medium onions, chopped fine
- 2 cups firm Tofu
- 2 tsp. oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 Tbsp Shoyu (soy) sauce
- 4 Tbsp sunflower oil, or other keto oil
(divided)
- 2/3 cup Soy milk or other alternative milk
- Pinch of salt, to taste
Topping: Wash the spinach, shake dry
and cook it in its own juices in a covered pan until soft --
about 5 to 8 minutes. Drain, chop/shred, and set aside,
preserving the liquid.
Crumble the tofu into a blender or food processor. Add the
lemon juice, shoyu, 2 tbsp. of the oil, the soy milk, and the
salt. Mix to a thick, creamy consistency. Adjust the seasoning
if desired.
Chop the onions and fry them in the remaining oil until
lightly browned (carmelized), then add the spinach and fold in
the tofu cream.
- Depending on
pizza or quiche preferences... Italian spices such as
oregano and rosemary; add-ins and toppings such as
minced garlic, thinly sliced tomatoes or mushrooms,
thinly sliced bell peppers, meat toppings; or try
for a white pizza flavor (it won't be white) which could
include pine nuts, basil, pulled chicken, possibly
cranberries and walnuts, and more garlic
Assembling the Flan: Pour the
spinach/onion mixture into the prepared tart pan and spread
thinly and evenly. Bake in the middle of the oven at 375
degrees for 30 minutes or until set. Allow to cool for about
10 minutes.