How to make Mini Spinach Pies With Cauliflower Crusts
Delicious mini spinach pies are so much fun to eat as everyone gets their own individual pie.
Servings 4
Calories 740kcal
Ingredients
- For cauliflower crusts:
- extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small head cauliflower cut into small florets
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg beaten
- ½ teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste
- For spinach filling:
- 2 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese
- 12 slices of muenster cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- For the cauliflower crusts: Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush with olive oil.
- Pulse a few florets of cauliflower at a time in your food processor until the cauliflower pieces are the size of couscous, about 3 cups.
- Next, bring ½ cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the cauliflower to the pan. Stir. Turn the heat off and cover the pan. Let the pan sit covered for 10 minutes.
- Then remove the lid. Transfer to a cheesecloth and twist cheesecloth into a pouch. Squeeze out as much of the moisture as possible, almost 1 cup of liquid. It is important for the cauliflower to be dry.
- Then place in a large mixing bowl and add egg, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Divide into 4 sections on the oiled parchment paper. Shape into circles to fit each ramekin by placing the ramekin upside down like a cookie cutter.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes and set aside.
- For spinach filling:
- Meanwhile, thaw spinach. Squeeze dry and drain.
- Turn oven down to 350℉.
- Soften cream cheese in a skillet over a low flame. Add drained spinach to softened cream cheese keeping over a very low heat. Add garlic, salt, and parmesan.
- By now your cauliflower crusts should be finished baking. Using a spatula, gently place one baked cauliflower crust on the bottom of each ramekin. Then cover with one slice of Muenster cheese. Fill with your spinach mixture and cover with another layer of two slices of Muenster cheese.
- Bake at 350℉ for 20-25 minutes.
Notes
- Take the spinach out of the freezer so that it can have time to thaw, and drain it before you're ready to cook it.
- Since the size of heads of cauliflower can vary, be sure to divide your crusts into thin circles.
- If you would like to make one 9 inch pie: Press your cauliflower batter into a thin crust in the bottom of an oven-safe pie dish. Bake for 10-15 minutes and set aside.Then continue to follow the recipe for the filling. When the filling is ready, cover the crust lined pie dish with 6 slices of muenster cheese around. Fill with spinach mixture and cover with another layer of 6 slices of muenster cheese around the top. Then bake at 350℉ for 25 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 740kcal | Carbohydrates: 11.2g