I think that we are necessarily moving toward a geek culture. The health of our society is going to rely on information technology. It’s going to rely on a familiarity with math and science and technology. Geekery in general is founded on questioning and proof via analysis of the actual world and not the world as we wish it to be. By contrast, jockdom — not sports — jock culture proceeds from a certainty you create in your mind: ‘My town is the best because the incredibly wealthy owners decided to keep the team for now.’ Or, ‘My political team is the best because it was my dad’s and they best stoke my primitive fears,’ as opposed to ‘They have the best policies for me and my family.’
Jockdom is very noble. It’s not deliberative. It’s certainly the best way to win wars. It’s the best way to motivate teams of people to fulfill a goal — not just war, but getting things done. The most important way to motivate a factory floor. But as you know, we’re not as much of a manufacturing society as we were before. China and other big industrial nations are rewarding their nerds and technicians rather than creating a culture that makes fun of them — it would be wise for us to embrace the book-smart as much as our culture has traditionally embraced the street-smart, the jock-smart. I’m not saying nerds must have their revenge; I’m just saying the time for wedgies is at an end.
The lovely Natalie from Bike Basket Pies has supplied us with a Vegansaurus exclusive (!!!) recipe for her famous vegan potato-spinach-cheddar pie. It’s ridiculous so get ready for a party in your mouth!! AND PANTS! What? Yes, the pie is that good.
You’ll need:
pie crust!
1 stick Earth Balance shortening
1 stick Earth Balance buttery stick
12 oz flour (about 2 1/2 cups)
2 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
8 Tbsp ice cold water, mixed with the vinegar, plus 4 Tbsp reserved
filling!
2 lbs or so, maybe less, yukon gold or russet potatoes, washed, peeled, and sliced to 1/4 inch thickness
1 lb spinach
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/8 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 lb Daiya shredded cheddar flavored cheese substitute (now available at Rainbow!)
salt
pepper
To make the pie dough:
Cut the Earth Balance sticks into small cubes and put them in the freezer while you prepare everything else.
Mix the flour, salt, and sugar.
Using a food processor (use the pulse setting) or hand pastry blender, cut the very cold Earth Balance cubes into the flour mixture until the shortening pieces aren’t much bigger than peas.If using a food processor, transfer to a bowl.
Slowly add the apple cider vinegar and ice water, and gently but quickly mix until the dough forms a ball. I use my hands. Add more ice water as necessary.
Divide into two balls, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap and throw into the refrigerator. Chill dough for at least an hour.
After the dough is chilled, remove from fridge, liberally flour a clean surface, roll out one disk and line a 9-inch pie pan. Trim edges that hang over so only about 1 inch hangs out. Put back in the fridge.
Assemble the pie:
Heat the red pepper and the garlic in the olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add washed spinach and slowly turn to wilt all of it. Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste—definitely over-season. Transfer to bowl, chop with kitchen sheers if using adult spinach (as opposed to baby spinach).
Line the dough-lined pie tin with a layer of sliced potatoes; sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
Liberally sprinkle Daiya “cheese.”
Layer spinach.
Add another layer of potatoes; sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
Add more spinach and Daiya; repeat until the pie is filled.
Roll out second dough disk, place on top of pie, trim edges, fold under other dough disk’s edges, crimp and flute. Wet your fingers with a little ice-cold water during this process if you wish, and maybe even sprinkle the pie with a little kosher salt (be light). Cut pretty slits in the top.
Put back in fridge, preheat oven to 425 degrees while your pie is chilling. Bake the pie at this temperature for 20 minutes; then lower temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 35 minutes or until crust looks golden and gorgeous.
Let it cool on a rack for 20 minutes or more until you slice into it.
Eat it all and be the fattest and happiest person in all the land. Which actually isn’t hard because this is San Francisco and most people are skinny and depressed!
Adorable photo of Natalie & her delicious pie (perv!) is courtesy of Rachel Styer!
He taught me how to cook, and to think, and to camp, and was immensely proud of me and my brother, and loved my mother very much.
I really don’t want to write the rest of this.
I keep being asked “what can I do to help,” but having all of you, the emails, the calls, the texts, the tweets (i’m serious), and knowing you are all there is more meaningful than you know. If you need to do something physical, send food or flowers to my mother’s house (because she does not know how to cook, easy recipes also helpful) at
1014 German Rd PO Box 343 Paw Paw, IL 61353
Or, in lieu of stuff, donate to your favorite animal rescue shelter, youth in music charity, sierra club, or public radio station. Any of those would be fitting.
I’ll be in paw paw till monday and if you would like to visit, please do.
We’ll plan some sort of memorial service in a few months and I would love anyone in the area to come.
Lastly, I’ve enabled comments on this blog for now, so if you’d like to share stories, you’re welcome to, or call my mother at (815) 627-9180 or pat.hollingsworth at gmail.com
