Spinach Tofu Quiche Cups are a hit at parties or bake sales,
and people will be amazed when you tell them that it’s tofu but it tastes like eggs!
These spinach tofu quiche cups are actually so so good. The black salt makes them taste like eggs, the phyllo cups provide the perfect little cup for easy and clean eating while still being crunchy and delicious. Spinach makes it go from okay to awesome because spinach is awesome. And turmeric + black pepper basically makes this a health food. RIGHT?! Anti-inflammatory? Get in my body.
These quiche cups speak for themselves. Here comes another sort of long-winded post about the occasional downside of being vegan. And no, it’s not that I miss cheese, or eggs, or bacon. It’s that I miss being a part of my family. Let me explain:
I live in a happy bubble of people who for the most part accept me for who I am. My friends are almost always open to trying vegan foods, and at the least, they ask me to choose a restaurant that has options for me if they want something with meat. Chris actually likes vegan food and typically chooses vegetarian options when he goes out for dinner because he doesn’t have a strong stomach and restaurants can sometimes be iffy with their food handling. In Toronto there are hundreds if not thousands of vegan options all over the place. Little pockets of vegan gems in Kensington, along Bloor, heck even Yorkdale Mall and the Eaton Centre have great vegan options.
When I leave my happy bubble of friends who accept me for who I am, I really notice how much strength it takes to be vegan outside of my support group. I initially went vegetarian over three years ago for health reasons and to help my skin heal, and over time I would say my skin has gotten worse. I wouldn’t say it’s because I don’t eat meat anymore because I get the worst reactions if I eat something that’s been contaminated with meat. Anyway, seeing my skin still not improving after going veg, all of my family constantly reminds me that my skin looks horrible and that eating vegan is not helping. Yesterday my dad decided it was a good time to yell at me for being “difficult” and not eating meat. “Just eat meat already!”
At family gatherings, I’m often set aside or seated separately because most of the food on the table isn’t veg. I typically have my own bowl of food and they make me sit at a different table (usually the kids table or just on the couch). While I appreciate my grandma for cooking me something I can eat, I actually kind of feel ostracized and like an outsider of my own family when I can’t sit and eat with them.
When I’m home with my parents, my mom always makes me vegan options and she’ll set my own part of the table for my food so I can sit with the family and eat together. My dad will look at my food and call it “disgusting” and “pointless” but I ignore it and eat my awesome, home-cooked vegan food.
I basically just want to be able to eat vegan and live my life without have chronic and severe eczema. I don’t eat meat because I don’t want to. I wish my family would just get that. They’ve come a long way, but some of them just don’t understand why I wouldn’t want to eat meat.
What have you guys done when people in your life simply don’t get your choice to be plant-based?
Spinach Tofu Quiche Cups
Ingredients
- 1 pack 454 g of vegan phyllo pastry (or you can buy premade vegan phyllo cups)
- 3 tbsp melted vegan butter
- 1 package of extra firm tofu 454 g, I used Soyarie
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups fresh chopped spinach about 1 cup cooked
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp black salt kala namak
- 1 tbsp tamari
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Press your tofu to squeeze out as much water as possible so it can absorb the seasoning. You can use dishcloths, cheese cloths, or paper towel to wrap, and then press between two flat surfaces and use something heavy like a textbook or cans to press on top. Let press for at least 30 minutes.
- Make phyllo cups but cutting the phyllo pastry into approximately 2.5"x2.5" squares. Use a pastry brush to coat the inside of mini cupcake molds.
- Make cups by brushing a thin layer of vegan butter between 3 layers of phyllo pastry and pressing into the prepared cupcake molds. Bake at 350F for about 5-10 minutes until edges are lightly browned and crispy. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Meanwhile, to prepare the filling, whisk turmeric, black pepper, black salt, tamari and water in a small bowl until combined.
- In a pan over medium heat, cook onion with olive oil until translucent.
- In a food processor, blend tofu, onion, and turmeric mixture until combined. You may to scrape down the sides a couple times. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted. Fold into tofu mixture and use a small 2 tsp scoop to divide the mixture among 30 phyllo cups.
- Serve immediately!
Cadry says
First of all, those little quiche cups are so cute! I love black salt, and this looks like such a fun brunch option.
Second, I’m so sorry to hear about the hostility that you’re receiving for being vegan. I can totally understand how deflating that would be. It’s been my experience that when people are hostile to that degree, it’s more of an issue with boundaries than it is veganism itself. Is your dad dismissive in other areas? When I went vegan, there was a period of growing pains until people understood that being vegan was a part of who I am and it wasn’t going anywhere.
I think when someone else changes, it can make others uncomfortable because of what it reflects back at them. I know people, for example, who stopped drinking alcohol and were shocked at the bullying nature of others who wanted them to keep drinking anyway. There are some people who don’t WANT us to change, because it makes them uncomfortable. But that’s not a good reason to not start working out, or eating healthy, or stop drinking, or move, or go vegan, or whatever it is that you want to do that may be different from what you’ve done in the past. I know it feels awkward now, but I bet with time, your dad will come around.
Lisa Le says
Thanks so much Cadry. I totally see what you mean about how people will often lash out when they feel insecure about their own choices. I’ve experienced that with Chris before but he’s come to understand more where I’m coming from. With my dad, it’s been a long 4 years and he still doesn’t understand why I don’t eat meat. He has serious misconceptions about eating vegetarian and vegan and I have no idea why. My mom cooks delicious veg food, but on principle he just calls it disgusting. *shrug* I’m not close with my dad, but it still kind of hurts when he insults me like this.
Cadry says
That’s totally understandable! That would hurt my feelings too! *hugs*
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
First off, these quiche cups looks amazing. I want to eat them ALL right now!
Second off, when I’m back home we need to grab a vegan bite to eat in Toronto! Who knew there were vegan restaurant in Yorkdale mall?!
Third, I totally hear where you are coming from – especially when I first started eating veg. Jeroen (my partner) was always VERY supportive (and very nicely defensive if anybody ever questioned me on my food choices) but there were always the people who were… erm… less supportive you could say. And it does get under my skin when people make snide remarks (you know the ones, “Here’s the vegan” “Do you want some meat!? – when they know full well you don’t eat mean dammit… etc.). I try to not let it bug me, be cool about it and maybe even make a joke back in their direction. I think a lot of it just stems from ignorance and curiosity about what we actually eat. As for you Dad, that’s a really tough place to be in and I feel for you. It’s hard when the closest people around us don’t accept us for who we are (and I truly believe being plant-based is a part of who I am now!). Also, it’s great knowing some other vegan bloggers like you – makes me feel like there are more vegans out there!! Hugs <3
Lisa Le says
Yes! The snide remarks are awful! Thanks so much Ceara for reading and leaving a comment. I’m so grateful for the vegan community and it’s awesome support <3
As for vegan options errwhere, I don't know if Yorkdale had its upgrade when you were still here, but Chipotle, Amara, the sushi place...even Subway has vegan options! It's so so awesome.
Bree Gaudette says
I haven’t yet tried the adorable cups, but they look delish!
It seems to be the time for all of us plant based folk to experience some hardship. I’ve been seeing a lot of FB posts from emotionally strong vegans who have been feeling let down by their partners, their families, their communities. Heck, i’m one of them. having said that, I truly think it’s all part of the change we’re making. Just like the women who battled for the right to vote and the people of colour who fought for equal rights, it’s bloody HARD. It takes time. It takes perseverance and conviction. It takes faith. (and i’m not talking about the religious kind, but simply faith in the Universe!)
But most importantly, you’re not alone. We’re all with you, we all totally GET IT. Push onward, know that your father is just coming from his limited perspective and that he still loves you, and then pull out some markers and a colouring book and enjoy the shit out of that kids table!
Much love, hugs and a vegan fistpound. :)
Lisa Le says
Thank you so much Bree, for your support and kind words. I’d be nothing without the awesome vegans in my life inspiring me to do better and do more =)
Brenda says
At the risk of sounding condescending, this makes me want to adopt you into my family! We’re not all vegan (not by a long shot), but my brother is; and my mom’s vegetarian; and my sister only eats poultry; and I don’t eat seafood; and my nephew’s eating habits depend on which way the wind is blowing, the phases of the moon, and which astrological house is ascending at any given time, and we (by which I mostly mean my parents, as they host most family dinners) always go out of our way to accommodate everybody. The very idea of putting my brother at a separate table because he’s not partaking in the meat is just… It’s not even horrifying; it’s just plain absurd and unthinkable. It makes me really sad that your family does this to you. Heck, I’m even a little outraged on your behalf. Here’s hoping they eventually wake up one day and get it.
Katie @ Produce On Parade says
I’m sorry that your family isn’t as understanding as they should be. That’s very upsetting. Your choices aren’t hurting anyone, or them, quite the opposite in fact! People what they don’t understand. Perhaps their eyes have been opened a bit by you and it’s their way of dealing with confusing feelings regarding still consuming meat? When Todd and I very first went vegan, my family poked fun at us and I just totally lost my shit and had a meltdown. I was really upset and basically told them that they weren’t the ones who were putting Todd’s socks and shoes on in the morning because his knees were so swollen from rheumatoid arthritis that he needed help. They weren’t the ones having to pull over on the side of the road during our commute because Todd couldn’t drive more than 30 minutes without shooting pains in his legs. If begin vegan would even remotely help, we were going to try it. It’s been 2 years and Todd is doing amazing! My family is so supportive and they are always talking about how amazing it is that becoming vegan made such a huge change. Maybe your family will come around? Maybe you need to have a shittastic meltdown like me?! Haha, hang in there! You have us too! :) Hugs!
Lisa Le says
Thanks Katie, I think I had my shittastic meltdown this week, but it wasn’t exactly related to my veganism haha. I’m sure that meltdown will probably happen sooner than later since I’m moving closer to my family. I’m so glad that you and Todd have found a way to heal and relieve his pain in a way that also makes the world better.