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Vegan & Gluten-Free Falafel with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce

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Vegan and Gluten-Free Falafel with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce -- Epicurean VeganYou may be surprised how easy falafel is to make at home. Plus, you can play with the spices and ingredients to suit your fancy. One thing I noticed, is that they are typically sauteed in a skillet with lots of oil, which is something I try to avoid doing too often. They’re also not typically gluten-free, so I decided to go all out and create gluten-free, baked falafel. Oh, and make them tasty. I think I accomplished all of that. The yogurt-tahini sauce couldn’t be easier to make, using only a few ingredients and a food processor. Usually, falafel sandwiches will have tabbouleh, but I opted for a quick and easy meal with lettuce, tomato and red onion instead. The falafel are also delicious on their own as a protein-packed snack dipped in sauce. Either way, I think you’ll enjoy this Greek classic.

INGREDIENTS:
1 small carrot, cut into 3-4 pieces
3-4 garlic cloves
1 small white onion, chopped
1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 C fresh cilantro
3/4 C fresh parsley
1-1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
3/4 C rice flour
1 tsp baking powder
Yogurt-Tahini Sauce
12-oz plain nondairy yogurt
1/3 C tahini
2 Tbs lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
The rest
Lettuce
Tomato
Red onion
Cucumber slices would be great, too.

DIRECTIONS:
Toss the carrot pieces into the food processor and pulse just a couple of times until coarsely chopped. Add the garlic cloves and onion and pulse 2-3 more times.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Falafel with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce -- Epicurean VeganNext, add the garbanzo beans, cilantro, parsley, cumin, salt, and pepper. Blend 10-20 seconds until smooth-ish . . . you just don’t want a major chunks. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the baking powder and rice flour.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Falafel with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce -- Epicurean VeganCover and refrigerate for about 20-30 minutes. In the meantime, preheat oven to 350 and then make the sauce. In your newly cleaned-out food processor bowl, combine all of the sauce ingredients and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and set aside, along with your prepared veggies:
Vegan and Gluten-Free Falafel with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce -- Epicurean VeganTo make the falafel, line a large baking sheet with foil and spray it with a little cooking spray. Using your hands, scoop out about a 1/4 cup of the batter and create a mini patty; place onto the baking sheet. I ended up with 15:
Vegan and Gluten-Free Falafel with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce -- Epicurean VeganBake for 15-20 minutes, then turn them over and cook another 15-20 minutes. Fill a pita with some lettuce, sauce, tomato slices, red onion slices, 2-3 falafel and top them off with a bit more sauce. Enjoy!

Vegan & Gluten-Free Falafel with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce
 
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Total time
 
You may be surprised how easy falafel is to make at home. Plus, you can play with the spices and ingredients to suit your fancy. One thing I noticed, is that they are typically sauteed in a skillet with lots of oil, which is something I try to avoid doing too often. They're also not typically gluten-free, so I decided to go all out and create gluten-free, baked falafel. Oh, and make them tasty. I think I accomplished all of that. The yogurt-tahini sauce couldn't be easier to make, using only a few ingredients and a food processor. Usually, falafel sandwiches will have tabbouleh, but I opted for a quick and easy meal with lettuce, tomato and red onion instead. The falafel are also delicious on their own as a protein-packed snack dipped in sauce. Either way, I think you'll enjoy this Greek classic.
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 small carrot, cut into 3-4 pieces
  • 3-4 garlic cloves
  • 1 small white onion, chopped
  • 1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
  • ¾ C fresh cilantro
  • ¾ C fresh parsley
  • 1-1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¾ C rice flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • .
  • Yogurt-Tahini Sauce
  • .
  • 12-oz plain nondairy yogurt
  • ⅓ C tahini
  • 2 Tbs lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • .
  • The rest
  • .
  • Lettuce
  • Tomato
  • Red onion
  • Cucumber slices would be great, too.
Directions
  1. Toss the carrot pieces into the food processor and pulse just a couple of times until coarsely chopped. Add the garlic cloves and onion and pulse 2-3 more times.
  2. Next, add the garbanzo beans, cilantro, parsley, cumin, salt, and pepper. Blend 10-20 seconds until smooth-ish . . . you just don't want a major chunks. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the baking powder and rice flour. Cover and refrigerate for about 20-30 minutes.
  3. In the meantime, preheat oven to 350 and then make the sauce. In your newly cleaned-out food processor bowl, combine all of the sauce ingredients and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and set aside, along with your prepared veggies.
  4. To make the falafel, line a large baking sheet with foil and spray it with a little cooking spray. Using your hands, scoop out about a ¼ cup of the batter and create a mini patty; place onto the baking sheet. I ended up with 15.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then turn them over and cook another 15-20 minutes. Fill a pita with some lettuce, sauce, tomato slices, red onion slices, 2-3 falafel and top them off with a bit more sauce. Enjoy!

 

 

Potato and Chard Casserole

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Potato and Chard Casserole -- Epicurean VeganI suppose you could also call this a “gratin” or scalloped potatoes; basically the same thing. You can easily make this a gluten-free dish by using rice flour and using ground up gluten-free crackers instead of bread crumbs. This has a little bit of prep work, so enlisting some help wouldn’t be a bad idea. If you have a 13-year-old lying around, it’s a fine opportunity to teach him/her how to peel and slice potatoes. Speaking of potatoes . . . this is probably a good time to remind folks that these root veggies are on the “Dirty Dozen” list, in fact, all root vegetables (carrots, turnips, etc) are. Because conventionally grown potatoes are sprayed with pesticides up to 5 times throughout the growing season, it is highly encouraged you only eat organic potatoes. The pesticides also seep into the soil where these starchy (and absorbent) veggies grow—another good reason to stick to organic!

INGREDIENTS:
7 russet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
1 large bunch of chard, stem and veins removed, then chopped
6 green onion, sliced
3 Tbs vegetable broth
2 Tbs flour
1-1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper
Dash or two of nutmeg
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1-1/2 C almond milk
3/4 C vegan mozzarella shreds
2 slices of bread
2 Tbs vegan margarine

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350. Puree the two slices of bread and vegan margarine in the food processor; set aside. (This is a great way to use those heels of the loaf that no one seems to like). In a large bowl, combine the potatoes and green onion. Make sure the potato slices are well separated, otherwise they’ll take forever to bake.

Meanwhile, steam the chard for about 5-7 minutes. You don’t want it too soft–just a little tender. Mix it in with potatoes and green onion. 

In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a boil. Whisk in the flour, seasoning, pepper, nutmeg, and dry mustard. Whisk in the almond milk and bring to a boil. Stir constantly until it begins to thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 C of the cheese.

Pour the sauce over the veggies and mix well. Transfer to a 9″x13″ baking pan.

Top with the remaining cheese and the bread crumbs you made from the bread slices.

Cover and bake for 40-45 minutes. Test the potatoes for doneness with a fork. Bake uncovered another 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

Potato and Chard Casserole
 
Print
I suppose you could also call this a "gratin" or scalloped potatoes; basically the same thing. You can easily make this a gluten-free dish by using rice flour and using ground up gluten-free crackers instead of bread crumbs. This has a little bit of prep work, so enlisting some help wouldn't be a bad idea. If you have a 13-year-old lying around, it's a fine opportunity to teach him/her how to peel and slice potatoes. Speaking of potatoes . . . this is probably a good time to remind folks that these root veggies are on the "Dirty Dozen" list, in fact, all root vegetables (carrots, turnips, etc) are. Because conventionally grown potatoes are sprayed with pesticides up to 5 times throughout the growing season, it is highly encouraged you only eat organic potatoes. The pesticides also seep into the soil where these starchy (and absorbent) veggies grow---another good reason to stick to organic!
Author:
Ingredients
  • 7 russet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
  • 1 large bunch of chard, stem and veins removed, then chopped
  • 6 green onion, sliced
  • 3 Tbs vegetable broth
  • 2 Tbs flour
  • 1-1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Dash or two of nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp dry mustard
  • 1-1/2 C almond milk
  • ¾ C vegan mozzarella shreds
  • 2 slices of bread
  • 2 Tbs vegan margarine
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Puree the two slices of bread and vegan margarine in the food processor; set aside. (This is a great way to use those heels of the loaf that no one seems to like). In a large bowl, combine the potatoes and green onion. Make sure the potato slices are well separated, otherwise they'll take forever to bake.
  2. Meanwhile, steam the chard for about 5-7 minutes. You don't want it too soft--just a little tender. Mix it in with potatoes and green onion.
  3. In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a boil. Whisk in the flour, seasoning, pepper, nutmeg, and dry mustard. Whisk in the almond milk and bring to a boil. Stir constantly until it begins to thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in ¼ C of the cheese.
  4. Pour the sauce over the veggies and mix well. Transfer to a 9"x13" baking pan.
  5. Top with the remaining cheese and the bread crumbs you made from the bread slices.
  6. Cover and bake for 40-45 minutes. Test the potatoes for doneness with a fork. Bake uncovered another 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Swiss Chard Gratin

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Swiss Chard Gratin -- Epicurean VeganHoly moly! Has Christmas come and gone? Where was I?  Well, I certainly wasn’t blogging. I planned to, but to be honest, the dishes I made came out less-than-stellar. I was really disappointed. I was thrilled to use the Whole Foods Recipe App for my ipad, but I think the only thing exciting about the recipes I chose, was how they looked on the app. 🙁 Oh well, not a big deal. I did, however, receive Vegan Holiday Kitchen from a friend, so next Christmas, I’ll be prepared.

I wasn’t about to give up on Whole Foods and their fabulous app. It’s quite amazing, actually—check it out. So here’s how it went down tonight . . . I received 2 gorgeous bunches of organic Swiss chard from Green Buffalo Food Company this afternoon and I immediately clicked on the trusty app. There’s a section called “On Hand” where you plug in what ingredient(s) you have it’ll show you what they’ve got. Plus,  you can narrow it down to only show you vegan or vegetarian recipes using that ingredient.

There were so many choose from such as Chard with Sherry Vinegar and Walnuts and Mushroom, Chard and Caramelized Onion Tacos. I decided on the Gratin, which I had to veganize, but that was a breeze. I served it with some pilaf and rolls, making it a night of side dishes. This recipe certainly restored my faith in WF’s recipes. I added mushrooms to this recipe and I’m glad I did–they are ideal for a dish like this. Even using three bunches of chard or some added kale would have been good, too.

INGREDIENTS:
2-3 bunches Swiss chard leaves, chopped
6-8 mushrooms, sliced
1 C water
1 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs Earth Balance margarine, more for baking dish
1 C almond milk
2 Tbs flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/3 C Daiya mozzarella
1 Tbs panko (or vegan breadcrumbs)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. In a large pot, add the water and chard; cook over medium heat. I used tongs to constantly stir the chard. After 3-4 minutes, or the chard is tender, drain (but reserve 1/4 C of the water) and set aside. In the same pan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour and stir constantly for a minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and reserved cooking water; whisk until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Swiss Chard Gratin -- Epicurean Vegan

Stir in 1/2 of the Daiya cheese, then remove from the heat. Stir in the mushrooms and chard.

Swiss Chard Gratin -- Epicurean Vegan

Butter an 8″x8″ baking dish and pour the chard mixture in, topping it with the remaining cheese and the breadcrumbs.

Swiss Chard Gratin -- Epicurean Vegan

Bake for 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Swiss Chard Gratin -- Epicurean Vegan

Potato and Kale Enchiladas

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Potato and Kale Enchiladas -- Epicurean VeganIt’s a damn good thing these came out SO DELICIOUS because they were a bit labor-intensive (and that was after I simplified the recipe)! The Husband picked out this recipe from Veganomicon and even though they sounded amazing, after I read the instructions, I put off making these until I knew I’d have plenty of time to devote to them. Finally, last night I cracked open the cookbook and got to work. I made some alterations to simplify the recipe and to cut down on some of the time required to make this. I LOVE the enchilada sauce and frankly, that portion is pretty easy. I would definitely use this sauce recipe for all enchiladas I make, and even lasagna. I will list the original recipe and add my alterations. Overall, I’m so glad I made these—they’re wonderful!

INGREDIENTS:
Enchilada Chile Sauce:
2 Tbs grapeseed oil or olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 large green chilies (such as Anaheim or Italian-style long green peppers), roasted, seeded, peeled and coarsely chopped (Yeah, I used a 7-oz can)
2-3 tsp Ancho chili pepper
1-1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp marjoram or Mexican oregano (epazote) I used regular oregano
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, roasted preferred
1 tsp sugar
1-1/2 tsp salt
Potato and Kale Filling:
1 lb waxy potatoes (Yukon gold or red) I used russet
1/2 lb kale, washed, trimmed and chopped finely (Use the food processor! It will save you. Plus, I added another 1/2 lb)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 C vegetable broth or water
3 Tbs lime juice
1/4 C toasted pumpkin seeds, chopped coarsely, plus extra for garnish. (First, I had no desire to grab a pan and toast these, especially since I didn’t notice they had to be toasted until it was time to add them. I didn’t bother chopping them, either).
1-1/2 tsp salt, or to taste (Seemed like a lot, so I just did a little)
12-14 corn tortillas (These are my favorite: a cross between a flour and corn tortilla. They roll up beautifully without having to steam them at all first) : La Tortilla Factory Hand Made Style

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375. Use a 11.5″x7.5″ casserole dish. To save yourself a headache: first, get the kale washed, trimmed and chopped, and peel and dice the potatoes.

Potato and Kale Enchiladas -- Epicurean VeganTo prepare the sauce, saute the onion and oil in a large skillet over medium heat, about 4-7 minutes. Add remaining sauce ingredients, bring to a simmer.

Potato and Kale Enchiladas -- Epicurean VeganRemove from the heat, let cool, then taste it to adjust seasoning, if necessary. Puree in an immersion or regular blender until smooth. (I used the food processor.)

Potato and Kale Enchiladas -- Epicurean VeganTo prepare the filling, boil the potatoes until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside. (This next step, I recommend doing while the potatoes are cooking) Cook the grapeseed oil and minced garlic in a sauce pot (I used the same skillet from the sauce–just washed it out) over medium heat until garlic just begins to brown. Add the kale, sprinkle with some salt and stir often. Partially cover the pot and steam the kale about 4-6 minutes. Then add the potatoes, broth (or water), lime juice, pumpkin seeds, and salt. Mash the potatoes a little bit with a spoon. Cook another 3-4 minutes.

Potato and Kale Enchiladas -- Epicurean VeganTo create these fabulous enchiladas . . . finally. . . the recipe says to ladle some sauce in a shallow dish and a heated griddle. Seriously?! My kitchen already looked like the Swedish Chef had made a 10-course meal in it and adding another pan to my already-crowded workspace just wasn’t going to happen. Plus, the tortillas I used are perfect for rolling—they’re soft enough already that they won’t crack. So if you wish to torture yourself, this is what the original recipe says: Ladle a bit of sauce onto the bottom of the casserole dish (ok, I did do that). Take a corn tortilla, place it on the heated griddle for 30 seconds, flip over and heat until soft and pliable. Drop the tortilla into the sauce and cover it completely with sauce. Place it in the casserole dish and layer it with another heat, sauce-covered tortilla (or use one. Or don’t do it that way at all). Seriously, too messy and labor-intensive. Fill with potato filling and roll up. Ok, I took the easy epicurean vegan way. After adding a layer of sauce on the bottom, I scooped some filling into my already soft and wonderfully pliable tortilla, rolled it up and placed it in the pan. That easy. Continue until the pan is filled.

After reserving about 1-1/2 cups of the sauce, pour the rest over the enchiladas. Now, I can’t imagine enchiladas without cheese, so I sprinkled some Daiya cheese shreds on top.

Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes. Top individual servings with the extra sauce (that you’ve warmed up). You may not recognize your kitchen once these are in the oven, but at least while they bake, you’ll have time to reclaim your space! Enjoy!

Potato and Kale Enchiladas
 
Print
It's a damn good thing these came out SO DELICIOUS because they were a bit labor-intensive (and that was after I simplified the recipe)! The Husband picked out this recipe from Veganomicon and even though they sounded amazing, after I read the instructions, I put off making these until I knew I'd have plenty of time to devote to them. Finally, last night I cracked open the cookbook and got to work. I made some alterations to simplify the recipe and to cut down on some of the time required to make this. I LOVE the enchilada sauce and frankly, that portion is pretty easy. I would definitely use this sauce recipe for all enchiladas I make, and even lasagna. I will list the original recipe and add my alterations. Overall, I'm so glad I made these---they're wonderful!
Author:
Ingredients
  • Enchilada Chile Sauce:
  • 2 Tbs grapeseed oil or olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 large green chilies (such as Anaheim or Italian-style long green peppers), roasted, seeded, peeled and coarsely chopped (Yeah, I used a 7-oz can)
  • 2-3 tsp Ancho chili pepper
  • 1-1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp marjoram or Mexican oregano (epazote) I used regular oregano
  • 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, roasted preferred
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1-1/2 tsp salt
  • Potato and Kale Filling:
  • 1 lb waxy potatoes (Yukon gold or red) I used russet
  • ½ lb kale, washed, trimmed and chopped finely (Use the food processor! It will save you. Plus, I added another ½ lb)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ¼ C vegetable broth or water
  • 3 Tbs lime juice
  • ¼ C toasted pumpkin seeds, chopped coarsely, plus extra for garnish. (First, I had no desire to grab a pan and toast these, especially since I didn't notice they had to be toasted until it was time to add them. I didn't bother chopping them, either).
  • 1-1/2 tsp salt, or to taste (Seemed like a lot, so I just did a little)
  • 12-14 corn tortillas (These are my favorite: a cross between a flour and corn tortilla. They roll up beautifully without having to steam them at all first) : La Tortilla Factory Hand Made Style
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 375. Use a 11.5"x7.5" casserole dish. To save yourself a headache: first, get the kale washed, trimmed and chopped, and peel and dice the potatoes.
  2. To prepare the sauce, saute the onion and oil in a large skillet over medium heat, about 4-7 minutes. Add remaining sauce ingredients, bring to a simmer.
  3. Remove from the heat, let cool, then taste it to adjust seasoning, if necessary. Puree in an immersion or regular blender until smooth. (I used the food processor.)
  4. To prepare the filling, boil the potatoes until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside. (This next step, I recommend doing while the potatoes are cooking) Cook the grapeseed oil and minced garlic in a sauce pot (I used the same skillet from the sauce--just washed it out) over medium heat until garlic just begins to brown. Add the kale, sprinkle with some salt and stir often. Partially cover the pot and steam the kale about 4-6 minutes. Then add the potatoes, broth (or water), lime juice, pumpkin seeds, and salt. Mash the potatoes a little bit with a spoon. Cook another 3-4 minutes.
  5. To create these fabulous enchiladas . . . finally. . . the recipe says to ladle some sauce in a shallow dish and a heated griddle. Seriously?! My kitchen already looked like the Swedish Chef had made a 10-course meal in it and adding another pan to my already-crowded workspace just wasn't going to happen. Plus, the tortillas I used are perfect for rolling---they're soft enough already that they won't crack. So if you wish to torture yourself, this is what the original recipe says: Ladle a bit of sauce onto the bottom of the casserole dish (ok, I did do that). Take a corn tortilla, place it on the heated griddle for 30 seconds, flip over and heat until soft and pliable. Drop the tortilla into the sauce and cover it completely with sauce. Place it in the casserole dish and layer it with another heat, sauce-covered tortilla (or use one. Or don't do it that way at all). Seriously, too messy and labor-intensive. Fill with potato filling and roll up. Ok, I took the easy epicurean vegan way. After adding a layer of sauce on the bottom, I scooped some filling into my already soft and wonderfully pliable tortilla, rolled it up and placed it in the pan. That easy.
  6. After reserving about 1-1/2 cups of the sauce, pour the rest over the enchiladas. Now, I can't imagine enchiladas without cheese, so I sprinkled some Daiya cheese shreds on top.Continue until the pan is filled.
  7. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes. Top individual servings with the extra sauce (that you've warmed up). You may not recognize your kitchen once these are in the oven, but at least while they bake, you'll have time to reclaim your space! Enjoy!

 

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