Epicurean Vegan

Healthy eating for discriminating palates

Quick and Easy Lunch: Chunky Chickpeas and Rice March 3, 2012

Filed under: Lunches,Product Reviews — epicureanvegan @ 9:57 am
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Not eating wheat, it can be tough not being able to make a quick sandwich. Scouring the pantry, I found Chunky Chickpeas from Tasty Bite.

We’ve taken these camping because they’re so easy—just pour into a pan and heat. At home, you can heat the packet in the microwave for 90 seconds. In this case, I decided to combine the chickpeas with some cooked rice and diced mushrooms. So easy! During the last few minutes of cooking the rice, throw in some mushrooms. Then heat the chickpeas in the microwave (according to the package instructions) and stir into the rice. Voila. Lunch is served.

The ingredients in the packet are simple: water, chickpeas, onions, sunflower oil, garlic, ginger, coriander, salt, cumin, and spices. There’s even 9 grams of protein per 1/2 a packet. I don’t remember how much the packets are, but I know they’re just over $3. (The Bombay Potatoes variety is awesome)!

 

Chickpea Salad February 28, 2012

I got this recipe from Luminous Vegans who called it “Chick-Peace Salad.” Great name—I didn’t want to steal it, so mine’s just plain old Chickpea Salad. Regardless of the name, it’s a delicious vegan version of tuna salad. LV added crumbled up nori to the mix to give it that tuna taste, but I didn’t have any. I still think it had amazing flavor without it. I did add some carrots and parsley. Just because. I also used Earth Balance’s vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free mayo that my good friend, Angela of The Veracious Vegan turned me on to. It’s fabulous!

I also served the salad on Food For Life’s brown rice tortillas.

I have to say, they’re ok. Heated up, they’re better, but you have to eat it fast before it gets crispy and falls apart. I’m wondering if steaming them would be better, or make it worse. The taste is chewy, but crunchy at the same time. Is that possible? Apparently so. Anyway, they’re not horrible, but they made eating this sandwich a bit tough because they tend to crack and split.

INGREDIENTS:

1 15-oz can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 green onions, chopped

1-2 Tbs fresh dill, chopped

2 Tbs fresh parsley, chopped

1 carrot, shredded

2 Tbs vegan mayo

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1-1/2 tsp lemon juice

Salt and pepper, to taste

Veggies, crackers, tortilla, etc

DIRECTIONS:

Mash the chickpeas. I used a pastry blender. You can also pulse them in the food processor.

Stir in all of the other ingredients and combine well. I layered the salad on some lettuce inside one of the tortillas and added some sliced cucumber and tomato.

This salad would also be great on crackers, or sliced veggies. Enjoy!

 

Lemony Pan-Fried Chickpeas with Chard February 4, 2012

Filed under: Lunches,Sides — epicureanvegan @ 1:16 pm
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This recipe is from Color Me Vegan and considering I love chickpeas, (a.k.a garbanzo beans) and chard, this is a new favorite. I would, however, make a few changes next time. Even though chickpeas are a great source of fiber and protein, and have no saturated fat, they do sport 90 calories per half a cup. Given this, I would use just half a can and even double the chard. So what to do with the other half of beans? Make a small batch of hummus, perfect for a few sandwiches during the week. I could have eaten the entire pan of this, which would not have been wise, so reducing the amount of chickpeas and adding more chard, I think, is a smart way to go. Otherwise, share this dish with plenty of others! (The recipe below is sans my suggestions).

INGREDIENTS:

1 Tbs olive oil

1 small onion, diced

1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained

1 bunch Swiss chard, chopped

1 small lemon

1/2 tsp salt, or to taste

Black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook until tender. Add the chickpeas and cook 10 minutes, or until the beans begin to brown.

Stir in the chard and cook until it begins to wilt and cook down, about 5-7 minutes. Zest the lemon over the pan, then cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice from one half over the mixture. (Watch out for seeds). Stir well to combine. Add salt, pepper, and more lemon, if desired. (If you go with my suggestions, you can use the leftover lemon—if there is any— in the hummus). Serve immediately, or at room temperature. Enjoy!

 

Chickpea Havarti Spread April 10, 2011

This spread can easily be called a dip as well. It almost has a chowder-like taste to it. From the Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook, this recipe is simple and delicious! This would also make a great condiment for sandwiches or wraps, too.

INGREDIENTS:

1 C water

2 C drained cooked or canned chickpeas (one 15 or 16 oz can)

1/2 C raw cashews

1/3 C nutritional yeast flakes

2 tsp onion powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp ground dill seed

1/2 tsp whole celery seed

1/4 C lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Transfer to a medium sauce pan and cook over medium heat, stirring often until very thick, about 15-20 minutes.

Remove from heat and cool a few minutes. Pour into an air tight container and chill for several hours to overnight.

Enjoy on crackers, as a vegetable dip, or as a sandwich condiment. Makes 2 cups.

 

Chickpea Burgers with “Ricotta” Sauce February 9, 2011

Filed under: Dinners — epicureanvegan @ 8:20 pm
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I saw this recipe in the January issue of Shape magazine and knew it’d be a great one to make. I had to make some alterations to veganize it and to just make the process easier. The recipe is for 4 burgers, but next time, I’ll make 3. They were a little wimpy as 4 and since there’s 3 in my little vegan family, it’ll just work out better. The recipe also called for panko breadcrumbs, but I forgot to pick some up, so I went with regular bread crumbs. Not a big deal, but I’ll seek those out next time, too. These are pretty simple to throw together and dinner is ready in under 30 minutes.

INGREDIENTS:

1-15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/4 C chopped parsley

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp coriander

1 tsp Ancho chili powder

Black pepper

2 tsp egg-replacer powder + 2-1/2 Tbs water

1/4 C +2 Tbs panko or regular bread crumbs

1/3 C ricotta (I had some of my go-to tofu ricotta in the freezer)

2 Tbs plain nondairy yogurt

Whole wheat buns

Cucumber, sliced

Tomato, sliced

Spinach leaves

DIRECTIONS:

Place the top oven rack 8-10 inches from the broiler heat. Preheat oven broiler to high. In a small bowl, whisk together egg-replacer powder and water; set aside. In a large bowl mash the chickpeas a little with a fork; add the parsley, garlic, and spices; season with black pepper.

Stir in the egg-replacer and 2 Tbs of the panko or bread crumbs. Pour remaining bread crumbs onto a plate and prepare a baking sheet with cooking spray. As you shape into 3 (or 4) patties, dredge them in the bread crumbs and place onto the baking sheet.

(I also should have chopped the parsley more)

Broil for 4-5 minutes per side. Meanwhile, combine the ricotta and yogurt in a food processor or blender.

Serve burgers on the buns with the ricotta sauce, tomato, spinach, and cucumber. Enjoy!

 

 

Thai Green Curry Chickpea Burritos February 7, 2011

Filed under: Dinners,Lunches — epicureanvegan @ 6:27 pm
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When we were visiting my sister in Northern California recently, she made us these fabulous burritos. The ingredients are from Trader Joe’s, so I was sure to pick the items up before returning to Trader Joe’s-less Colorado. :( Taste of Thai makes a green curry paste  though that could be substituted in with some coconut milk. However, a sub for the Cumin and Chickpea mix also required for the recipe, was hard to locate. So if you’re lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe’s, or have a generous relative to send you TJ loot, this recipe is for you. Are you listening, sis? ;)

INGREDIENTS:

1-12 oz jar Thai Green Curry Simmer Sauce

1-8 oz pkg Cumin and Chili Chickpea mix

1 medium zucchini, sliced, then quartered

1-15 oz can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed

Olive oil

Flour tortillas

Optional: Tofutti sour cream, fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS:

I sauteed the zucchini and can of drained chickpeas for about 3-4 minutes. Add the bag of seasoned chickpeas and jarred curry sauce. Stir well to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 20-25 minutes.

Serve in a flour tortilla with sour cream and cilantro and enjoy!

 

More Hummus Varieties April 24, 2010

Filed under: Appetizers,Sides — epicureanvegan @ 10:09 am
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I love that hummus is so versatile and easy to make. It’s also cheaper to make your own than buying prepackaged hummus. Here are two other varieties that a friend introduced me to and please note, the picture shows just half what the recipe yields.

INGREDIENTS:

4 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon salt
two 1-pound 3-ounce cans chick-peas, drained and rinsed
2/3 cup well stirred tahini
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, or to taste
1/2 C olive oil, or to taste

For Parsley and Garlic Hummus
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup parsley
1-2 garlic cloves, depending on taste

For Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
2-3 peppers from a can of roasted red pepper
1/4 cup of olive oil

Other variety would  be adding black or kalamata olives…yum!

DIRECTIONS:

On a cutting board mince and mash the garlic to a paste with the salt. In a food processor purée the chick-peas with the garlic paste, the tahini, the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, scraping down the sides, until the hummus is smooth and add salt to taste. Add water, if necessary, to thin the hummus to the desired consistency and transfer the hummus to a bowl.

The hummus should be a little thick in consistency, place half in a bowl and save for later for the roasted red pepper.

In the food processor, cleaned, purée the remaining 1/4 cup oil with the parsley and garlic until the oil is bright green and the parsley is minced transfer the parsley oil to a small jar. The hummus and the parsley oil may be made 3 days in advance and kept covered and chilled. If the consistency still seems too thick, add more warm water if needed.

Add the other half of the hummus in the food processor. Add two to three roasted red peppers and olive oil. If needed added more water.

Serve with crackers, veggies, on sandwiches as a spread and a million other ways.

Recipe source: Kitchen Challengers

 

Pita Quesadillas with Cilantro Hummus April 8, 2010

Filed under: Lunches — epicureanvegan @ 11:39 am
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I was thumbing through the latest issue of Vegetarian Times and when I saw this recipe, I decided right then and there to try these. I happened to have all the ingredients, even adding some Vegan Gourmet Monterey Jack cheese and between that, the roasted red peppers and cilantro, it made a delicious, quick and easy lunch.

INGREDIENTS:

Hummus:

1/2 C cilantro leaves

2 cloves garlic, peeled (I used minced)

1-1/2 C cooked chickpeas (or 1 15oz can, rinsed and drained)

2 Tbs lime juice

2 Tbs olive oil

Quesadillas:

4 7″ whole-wheat pitas, split crosswise

4 jarred roasted red peppers, drained and sliced into strips

1-1/2 C baby spinach leaves

Optional: Vegan Gourmet Monterey Jack, shredded (I did little slices, but shredding it would have been better)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350. To make hummus: Process cilantro leaves and garlic in food processor until chopped. (I added the garlic later since it was already minced). Add the chickpeas, lime juice, oil, and 1/4 C water; puree 3 minutes, or until creamy.

To make the quesadillas: Place 4 pitas halves on baking sheet. Spread each with 1/2 C hummus. Top with peppers, spinach, cheese (if using) and remaining pita halves. Bake 10 mins, serve and enjoy!

 

Peanut Butter Hummus February 17, 2010

I think this is a great hummus variety, especially for kids who aren’t crazy about regular hummus. Spread this on a tortilla with sprouts and veggies and it’ll make a healthy lunch. It’s also great on apples or celery.

INGREDIENTS:

1 15-oz can garbanzo beans

1/3 C warm water

4 Tbs peanut butter

2 Tbs olive oil

3 Tbs lemon or lime juice (I used lemon)

1 clove garlic

I added 1/2 tsp of cumin

DIRECTIONS:

Add all ingredients into a food processor and blend well. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy!

Recipe source: About.com

 

Three-Bean Dip January 21, 2010

Filed under: Appetizers — epicureanvegan @ 7:55 pm
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This is a great dip, but at first, I thought it was a little bland, so I added about a cup of diced (food processed) black olives and it was just what this dip needed! I think a diced up roasted red pepper or two would be yummy too. Great for crackers, sour dough squares or even on celery and other veggies.

INGREDIENTS:

1 garlic clove, crushed
1 Tbs chopped green onion
1 C canned Great Northern or other white beans, drained and rinsed
1 C canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 C cooked shelled edamame (I steamed them for a few minutes)
1 Tbs lemon juice
Salt and pepper
1 C finely diced black olives

DIRECTIONS:

In a food processor, process the garlic and green onions until minced. Add the beans, chickpeas, edamame, lemon juice , olives (if using) and salt and black pepper to taste and process until smooth.
Transfer to a medium bowl and serve right away or cover and refrigerate for 1  hour. Will keep for 3 days if stored properly. Enjoy!

Recipe source: 1000 Vegan Recipes

 

 
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