Vegan Spanikopita

I LOOOVVEEE spanikopita. But, because it has cheese and butter in it, I can't eat it. So, I made a vegan version with soy feta cheese and Earth Balance butter. The filo pastry I used was made with oil, not butter, which was awesome! I found it at Sobey's. Here is the recipe:

8 cups spinach - no stems

1/2 cup parsley

1/2 cup dill

2 cups green onions

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 cup olive oil

3 cups onions

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 cup feta cheese, crumbled into small pieces

14 filo sheets

3/4 cup butter, melted

1. Shred spinach. (I sat in front of the tv and used scissors) Combine it with parsley, dill, green onions and salt. Let it sit for 15 mins, then press out any liquid that forms.

2. Heat olive oil in skillet. Add onions until transparent. Add spinach mixture. Saute for a few minutes. Add feta and pepper.

3. Place 7 filo sheets in a buttered 10x17x2 pan, brushing in between each sheet with melted butter. Add spinach mixture. Add remaining sheets on top, layering with butter.

4. Cut it into pieces before you bake at 375* for 30 mins.

An Homage to Cheese

I can't break it. There is always cheese on EVERYTHING.

At most mainstream restaurants I go to - and even independently owned ones, there is cheese on everything. And if it's not cheese, it's meat. And often both.

So, I haven't been able to go one week as a true vegan because I eat out at least twice a week with friends, family, or the new bf. It's hard to go to places (especially with a bf who doesn't eat spicy food, enjoys eating meat, and doesn't tell me where he wants to eat EVER, just that he doesn't want to eat THERE.)

So, I'm settling. I'm eating cheese if I must, and never eating meat. That's what I've chosen, and I'm okay with it. Because cheese is f-ing good, and it's not a lot. And I know I'm not supposed to be eating it because it's made from milk that is taken from cows and goats that are being harmed, but sometimes I just need to eat cheese.

And I'm okay with that.

Falafel Burger

These are a favourite of mine from Rachael Ray. They are so yummy and so good for you! I love putting cucumbers on them, especially the ones I got this Saturday at the farmer's market - 6 for $1.00. Hello! I love a good deal!

Instead of the sauce that Rach uses, I just use hummus. Today I used red pepper hummus from The Happy Camel, which has a store in Edmonton, but is also found at the St. Albert Farmer's Market.

Try the recipe - it's quick and tasty.