Improved Pumpkin Pie (GF, V, No-Bake)

Post by Megan Stulberg

I have made many a’ pumpkin pies in my day. There’s this one I posted last year, for instance — which was good, but the consistency just wasn’t quite right and I knew I could do better. I made this dish the other day for American Thanksgiving and god *damn*, was it an improvement! The only problem was that it was all pretty last minute and the store was sold out of non-dairy whipped cream (my own fault), so I had it with vanilla bean ice cream instead. Still real good, though.

This pie is no-bake, raw except for the pumpkin puree, soy-free, gluten-free and vegan.

Watch the video below, click through to subscribe to us on YouTube, and read the following recipe! Enjoy.

INGREDIENTS…

FOR THE CRUST:

• 1 cup raw almonds, soaked overnight
• 1 cup pitted dates, soaked overnight

FOR THE FILLING:

• 3/4 standard can pure pumpkin puree
• 1 cup cashews, soaked overnight
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup 100% maple syrup
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp organic vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger

DIRECTIONS…

1. To make crust…Soak dates and almonds in separate bowls overnight.
2. Drain. Pulse dates and almonds in food processor until crumb-like consistency has been reached.
3. Line a small 5-inch round pan with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Press mixture into bottom of dish firmly to form an even crust. Leave in freezer to set at least 1 hour.
4. To make filling…Blend all remaining ingredients until smooth. Spread onto crust and let set in freezer 1-2 hours, or overnight.
5. Remove from freezer to thaw at room temperature for 1 hour, or in the fridge for 4-5 hours.
6. Slice pie and serve with coconut whip or vanilla ice cream. Leftovers can be kept in fridge.

Makes 1 standard pie (6-8 slices).

THANKSGIVING FEAST ON LOCK: 6-PART RECIPE POST

Alright, so I went a little wild this Thanksgiving. Hell, I go a little wild every Thanksgiving. I made butternut squash risotto, mushroom gravy, maple sweet potato mash, kale caesar salad and (*drumroll please*) raw pumpkin pie topped with coconut whipped cream. Please note that all the food below was: a) made for 2 people and b) consumed within 24 hours. I will be signing autographs all week, thanks.

Two of these recipes have already been posted on Vegan Girlfriend! For the maple sweet potato mash, view the original post here. For the kale caesar, add fresh lemon to the original post here.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO

INGREDIENTS…

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red onion, chopped coarsely
• 3 cups gluten-free vegetable stock
• 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
• 1 cup arborio rice
• 1 cup chopped kale leaves
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup vegan butter
• 1/4 cup almond or soy milk
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 2 tbsp cold-pressed EVOO
• 2 tbsp ground sage
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS…

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Cook arborio rice re: instructions on packaging. Risotto is unique because you have to cook rice in a saucepan, not a pot. Slowly add white wine and 2 cups vegetable stock while cooking. Be sure to stir regularly, as arborio rice sticks and burns easily! Drain and set aside.
3. Place cubed squash in pot of boiling water on medium-high heat. Cover, then let cook until squash is tender with fork (approximately 10-15 minutes). Drain, then set aside.
4. Blend squash, 1 cup vegetable stock, “butter,” almond milk, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper into a puree.
5. In a large saucepan, saute garlic and onion in EVOO until browned. Add rice and kale and cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Add squash puree and turn up to medium heat. Cook 5 minutes while stirring regularly. Once rice has absorbed, remove from heat.
6. Transfer everything to casserole dish and bake in oven for 15-20 minutes until top layer firms up.
7. Let cool 20 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 heaping servings.

IMPROVED MUSHROOM GRAVY: 

INGREDIENTS…

• 2 cups gluten-free vegetable stock
• 1 cup chopped cremini mushrooms
• 1/4 cup gluten-free brown rice flour
• 1/4 cup almond or soy milk
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 red onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 tbsp ground sage
• 2 tbsp vegan butter-style spread
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS…

1.  Heat EVOO in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute for 3 minutes until browned. Add sage, garlic, mushrooms, almond milk, salt and pepper. Cook until mushrooms are browned, stirring regularly. Add vegetable stock and vegan butter-style spread, lower heat to simmer. Once most liquid has evaporated, add vegetable stock and brown rice flour. Stir occasionally and cook for an additional few minutes. For thicker gravy, feel free to add additional flour by the tbsp.
2. Remove from heat. Top with additional sage. Serve hot!

Makes approximately 2 cups of gravy (4 servings).

RAW PUMPKIN PIE WITH COCONUT WHIP:

INGREDIENTS…

FOR THE CRUST:

• 1 cup raw walnuts
• 1 cup pitted dates
• 2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
• Pinch of raw pink mountain salt

FOR THE FILLING:

• 1/2 large can pure pumpkin puree (not technically raw, but cut me some slack)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup 100% maple syrup
• 1 tbsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger

FOR THE WHIP:  

• 1 standard can full-fat coconut milk, left in fridge overnight
• 2 tbsp 100% maple syrup
• 1 tbsp organic vanilla extra

DIRECTIONS…

1. To make crust: pulse walnuts, shredded coconut and dates in food processor until crumb-like consistency has been reached. Line a small 5-inch round pan with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Press mixture into bottom of dish firmly to form an even crust.
2. To make filling: blend all ingredients until smooth. Spread onto crust and let set in freezer overnight until set. Additionally, leave can of coconut milk in fridge overnight to set.
3. Next day: Leave in refrigerator for 2 hours to thaw, or room temperature for 1 hour.
4. Make coconut whip while pie is thawing. Carefully open coconut milk without tilting or shaking the can. Scoop out all the cream from the top, leaving the coconut water that has separated at the bottom of the can.
5. With an electric mixer, beat cream together with maple syrup and vanilla extract until sharp peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip.
6. Serve pumpkin pie sliced with dollops of coconut whip on top. Leftovers can be kept in fridge.

Makes 1 small pie (4 servings).