Mediterranean tofu and olive 'quiche'

8 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
¾cupUnbleached white flour
¾cupWhole wheat pastry flour
½teaspoonBaking powder
½teaspoonSea salt
teaspoonDried dill
¼cupCold canola oil
¼cupIce water
poundsFirm tofu; well drained
3tablespoonsOlive oil
2teaspoonsUmeboshi vinegar
1teaspoonBalsamic vinegar
2teaspoonsWhite miso
teaspoonSea salt
cupWater
1mediumOnion
½cupChopped red bell pepper; (optional)
4Cloves garlic; minced
1tablespoonChopped mixed fresh herbs
(such as rosemary; thyme and oregano)
¾cupSliced cremini mushrooms
½cupRipe olives; chopped
(preferably kalamata)
8Sprigs fresh basil
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
(see separate recipe)

Directions

HERB CRUST

MEDITERRANEAN TOFU

8 SERVINGS VEGAN

The trick to an excellent vegan pastry crust is to keep all the ingredients cold. Even after you have rolled it out, keep the pastry-lined tart pan in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it. For this recipe, both the prebaked tart shell and filling can be made one day in advance, then assembled and baked just before serving.

CRUST: In medium bowl, sift together both flours, baking powder and salt.

Add dill, oil and ice water, Working dough as little as possible, mix and roll into a ball. Wrap dough in wax paper and chill 20 to 30 minutes. Roll dough out and place in oiled 9-inch pie or tart pan. Cover and chill another 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Uncover crust and bake 15 minutes. Set on wire rack to cool.

In food processor, combine tofu, 2 tablespoons olive oil, umeboshi vinegar, balsamic vinegar, miso, salt and water and blend until smooth and creamy.

Transfer to medium bowl.

In large skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is soft, about 3 minutes. Add fresh herbs, mushrooms and olives.

Cook, stirring often, 5 minutes. Add to tofu mixture, stirring until blended.

Pour filling into prebaked crust. Bake at 350 degrees, until top is lightly browned, about 40 minutes. Serve with a dollop of sun-dried tomato pesto garnished with a sprig of fresh basil.

PER SERVING WITH 2 TABLESPOONS PESTO: 277 CAL.;14G PROT.; 17G TOTAL FAT (1G SAT. FAT); 21G CARB.; 0 CHOL.; 602MG SOD.; 3G FIBER.

Recipe by: Vegetarian Times Magazine, April 1998, page 46 Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.