The Story Behind the Recipe

Rhubarb Crisp is one of my more nostalgic desserts. My Grandma and Mom both would grow loads of rhubarb in the spring, and once the first stalks were picked, I knew a delicious Rhubarb Crisp wasn’t far behind. I’ve shared a recipe for Rhubarb Crisp in a Jar here in Kitchen Treaty, but I hadn’t yet done one in full crisp form.

Now, my Mom and Grandma always made straight-up rhubarb crisp – I never even tried the strawberry rhubarb combination until adulthood. And there is absolutely a place for a rhubarb-only situation AND one with strawberries!

This crisp is an exemplary example of the combo, which really does work so well together. The sweetness of the strawberries complement the tartness of the rhubarb so well. And so, today I’m sharing Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe that rivals the rhubarb crisps my mom and Gran used to make, but makes me nostalgic nonetheless.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Recipe Ingredients

For the filling:

• Strawberries – You’ll need 1 1/2 pounds fresh strawberries, which amounts to about 4 cups. Take off the tops and cut them in half, or into quarters if they’re large.
• Rhubarb – You’ll want three large stalks, which comes out to about 4 cups sliced. I sliced them into pieces about 1/2-3/4″ thick.
• Sugar – Without it, rhubarb is tart!
• Orange zest & juice – The bright note of citrus really helps highlight the strawberry and rhubarb flavors.
• Vanilla – I am a huge fan of vanilla extract in my fruit crisps, and so I’ve got it in both the filling and the topping for this Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp recipe.
• Flour – A couple of tablespoons of all-purpose flour helps to thicken the filling.

For the oat crumble topping

• Oats – Rolled oats are a must for a crisp topping, in my book.
• Flour – Helps to hold the crisp together and give it body.
• Brown sugar – For rich sweetness.
• Pumpkin pie spice – This is the secret ingredient I was talking about! The combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a hint of cloves just really peps up this fruit crisp topping. You don’t strictly have to add it, but I do highly recommend it!
• Salt – I like to use a fine-grain sea salt in my baked goods.
• Pecans (optional) – Sometimes I like to add some finely chopped nuts to my crisp topping for some crunch and heft.
• Butter – Brings the crumble together and helps make it nice and crispy once it bakes.
• Vanilla – More vanilla because YUM!

Adaptations/Variations

• Gluten-Free Rhubarb Crisp – Swap oat flour for the all-purpose flour in the topping and cornstarch or tapioca flour for the flour in the berries. Use certified GF oats.
• Dairy-Free & Vegan Rhubarb Crisp – Use vegan butter.

How to Make Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

1. First, you’ll cut up your strawberries and rhubarb. Place them in a large bowl gently stir in the sugar, orange zest, orange juice, vanilla, and flour.
2. Pour the fruit filling into a 9″x13″ baking dish.
3. In another bowl, make the topping. Mix together the flour, oats, sugar, salt, and, if using, the pumpkin pie spice and pecans. Make sure it’s well-combined.
4. Melt the butter and pour it over the top along with the vanilla extract.
5. With a spatula or wooden spoon, stir the melted butter into the crumble mixture until it’s all moistened and holds together when you squeeze it.
6. Evenly distribute the crumb topping over the top.
7. Bake your Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is browned.
8. Remove from oven and let it cool for 15-30 minutes to thicken a bit.
9. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Both heavenly!

Jump to the full, printable recipe

I hope this old-fashioned strawberry rhubarb crisp is as nostalgic – and delicious – for you and your family as it is for us! It’s super easy to whip up and helps make use of the inevitably huge rhubarb harvest that happens every spring. What a great problem to have!

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Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

A juicy, sweet, tart rhubarb-strawberry filling topped with a crunchy streusel topping. What fruit crisp dreams are made of!

Course Dessert

Keyword rhubarb strawberry crisp, strawberry rhubarb crisp, strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 12

Calories 282kcal

Author Kare

Equipment

• 1 9×13 baking pan

Ingredients

For the filling

• 1 1/2 pounds fresh strawberries 5 cups; hulled and halved or quartered if larger berries
• 1 pound rhubarb 4 cups; about 3 large stalks
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar 145g
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice 14g
• 1 teaspoon pure vanille extract
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For the crumble topping

• 1 cup rolled oats 105g
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 105g
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar 120g
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice optional but highly recommended!
• 1/8 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt 2g
• 1/2 cups chopped pecans optional
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter 8 ounces/1 stick; melted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Prep the berries & rhubarb

• Place the strawberries and rhubarb in a large bowl. Stir in the granulated sugar, orange zest, orange juice, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons flour until well-combined. Pour into a 9"x13" baking dish.

Make the topping

• In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, oats, sugar, salt and the pumpkin pie spice and pecans if using.
• Add the melted butter and vanilla and stir together until combined.
• Pour the crumble topping over the top of the rhubarb and strawberries making sure to cover all of the fruit.

Bake

• Bake until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, 35-45 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Gluten-Free Option:

Swap oat flour for the all-purpose flour in the topping and cornstarch or tapioca flour for the flour in the berries. Use certified GF oats.

Dairy-Free/Vegan Option:

Use vegan butter.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 32mg | Potassium: 274mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 288IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1mg

More Fruit Crisp Recipes

• Apple Cranberry Crisp
• Rhubarb Crisp in a Jar
• Cherry Crumble

The post Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Start here if you’re new to grain bowls:

• Learn the basic formula
• Jump to easy recipe ideas

I know it’s going to be an excellent week when I’ve got all of my grain bowl components prepped and in the fridge for fast, easy, and healthy meals all week long.

If Grain Bowls look intimidating to you or you’re just not sure how to build one, or if you’re looking for new buddha bowl ideas, this is the article for you! My aim is to include loads of options and inspiration – I want to bowl you over with grain bowl ideas! I know, I know, that was a stretch. Carrying on …

What is a Grain Bowl?

Grain bowls aren’t actually new – they’re more like a modern name for a very classic way of eating: building a meal around a grain, then adding vegetables, protein, and sauce.

Across many food cultures, this “base + toppings” structure has existed for centuries. In Asia, it shows up in rice bowls like bibimbap. In the Mediterranean and Middle East, it appears in grain-and-legume-based meals paired with vegetables, herbs, and yogurt or tahini sauces. Worldwide, people have long combined starches, vegetables, and proteins in a single bowl.

What is on the newer is the Western “grain bowl” trend, which grew popular in the 2010s along with interest in meal prep, plant-based eating, and customizable “build-your-own” meals. The appeal is simple: grain bowls are flexible, balanced, and endlessly adaptable.

What is a Buddha Bowl?

A Buddha Bowl is essentially a grain bowl but vegetarian or vegan. It’s more veggie-forward and often served cold or room temp, which makes it even easier to prep ahead (no reheating when serving!)

But why is it called a Buddha Bowl? Apparently because a full bowl resembles the rounded “belly-like” appearance of Buddha. It could also be because it’s connected loosely to Buddhist-inspired vegetarian eating traditions.

Why You’ll Love Grain Bowls

• Perfect for meal prep – I’ll often prepare a grain, roast a vegetable, clean some greens, and make a sauce, then keep the components in the fridge. Then it’s just a matter of opening a can of beans, chopping up an avocado or another veg, and assembling the bowl.
• Solves the lunch conundrum – I don’t know if it’s just me, but lunch is the most difficult meal of the day! It’s so hard to come up with healthy vegetarian options that come together quickly (it’s the time of day when I have the smallest amount of time). So when I’ve got grain bowl ingredients prepped and ready, lunch is a breeze.
• SO easy – Once you have the components prepped, it’s super easy to assemble grain bowls for quick nutritious meals.
• Endlessly customizable – Hate kale? Swap in some arugula! Not a fan of tofu? There are plenty of other protein options available! It’s super easy to create your very own “house” grain bowl that is fine-tuned to your tastes.

How to Make A Grain Bowl

1. First, add your grain base.
2. Next, arrange the main veggie(s) to the side.
3. Add the protein.
4. Pile on the greens.
5. Add toppings and garnishes.
6. Drizzle with sauce.
7. Devour!

Easy Grain Bowl Recipe Ideas

With all of the ingredient options available to you, the combos are pretty much endless. But here are some of my favorites:

Sweet Potato & Chickpea Grain Bowl

Quinoa with roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, shredded kale, and a delicious green goddess dressing, lots of pickled red onions, pepitas, creamy avocado, and micro-greens.

Black Bean & Sweet Potato Grain Bowl

Brown rice topped with crisp lettuce, black beans, roasted sweet potatoes, avocado, and cilantro lime dressing. Pepitas are a great addition too!

Mediterranean Grain Bowl

Rice, farro, or bulgur with roasted or fresh red bell peppers, cucumber, spinach, and chickpeas with crumbled feta and Kalamata olives. Drizzle with Greek salad dressing or Tzatziki sauce, or add a generous dollop of hummus.

Peanut Thai Veggie Grain Bowl

On a base of brown rice, add crispy pan-fried tofu, fresh spinach, steamed broccoli, and sliced bell peppers. Drizzle with peanut sauce and garnish with salted peanuts.

Veggie Sushi Grain Bowl

Seasoned rice with carrots, cucumbers, avocado, edamame, sesame seeds, and sesame-wasabi dressing. Yum!

Meal Prepping Grain Bowls

One of the best things about buddha bowls? They’re perfect for meal prep.

I pick a protein and a grain, and start with prepping those. Place them in an airtight container and place them in the fridge, then prep your veggies. Store those in the fridge, and whip up some sauce. Place that in a jar or container. Now you have a whole grain bowl meal prep kit on your refrigerator shelf for super easy lunches and dinner all week long!

I hope that having more information about how to make a grain bowl is inspiring to you! I just love that they’re so great for meal prep and are so easy to customize to match any craving I might have. Here’s to beautiful Buddha bowls in your future!

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Grain Bowl Formula (How to Build a Perfect Buddha Bowl)

Grain bowls (also known as Buddha Bowls) are my favorite way to make sure I'm getting a good amount of veggies and fiber in my diet. They're full of nutrients, ridiculously satisfying, perfect for prepping ahead of time, and endlessly customizable!

Course dinner, lunch

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword buddha bowl, grain bowl

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 1 bowl

Author Kare

Ingredients

1/2 cup grain base (choose one)

• rice white or brown
• farro
• quinoa not a grain but a seed that acts like a grain
• bulgur
• couscous a pasta, but behaves like a grain
• buckwheat

3/4 cup protein (choose one)

• tofu baked tofu, pan-fried tofu, or air-fryer tofu
• edamame
• chickpeas
• black beans
• white beans like navy beans or cannellini beans
• cooked lentils
• peas
• chopped hard-boiled eggs

1 cup veggies (1/2 cup roasted or fresh veg + 1/2 cup greens)

• roasted sweet potatoes
• roasted butternut squash
• roasted cauliflower
• roasted broccoli
• roasted carrots
• sliced cucumbers
• shredded raw carrots
• cherry tomatoes
• sliced bell peppers
• baby arugula
• baby spinach
• shredded kale
• shredded cabbage
• shredded romaine lettuce
• mixed spring greens

1/4 cup garnish/toppings (choose one or more)

• avocado
• pickled red onions
• fresh herbs
• cheese if dairy is ok
• micro-greens
• pumpkin seeds
• sunflower seeds
• sesame seeds
• hemp seeds
• chopped nuts
• olives

3 tablespoons sauce/dressing (choose one)

• lemon tahini sauce
• green goddess dressing
• cilantro lime sauce
• pesto
• peanut sauce
• vinaigrette

Instructions

• Place the grains in a medium-size serving bowl. Arrange the protein, veggies, greens, and garnish/toppings over the grains. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

Notes

Cooking time is basically just for assembly, not for cooking individual components. 

The post Grain Bowl Formula (How to Build a Perfect Buddha Bowl) appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

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Colcannon Recipe (Irish Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage)

Fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes with tender sautéed cabbage. SO delicious! This Irish side dish is perfect for your St. Paddy's Day meal.

Keyword colcannon, colcannon potatoes, irish mashed potatoes, mashed potatoes with cabbage

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 372kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter divided [2 tablespoons for sauteing, 3 for the potatoes] + more for serving
• 1/3 cup chopped scallions white and light green parts sliced; reserve green parts for garnish
• 2 medium cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 small head cabbage chopped; about 1 pound of cabbage
• 2 pounds russet potatoes about 6 medium potatoes; peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste [I use more like 2 teaspoons]
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste

Instructions

Cook the potatoes:

• Fill a large pot halfway with water and place over high heat. Bring to a boil and carefully add potato chunks. Boil until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain in a colander and set aside.

Sauté the veggies:

• While the potatoes are cooking, saute the veggies. In a large saute pan on low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the scallions and cook until bright green and beginning to become tender, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, then add the cabbage. Cook, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes, until vibrant green and tender. If the veggies begin to brown, reduce the heat – you want bright green and tender but not browned.

Combine and serve:

• Place the potatoes back into the pot they were boiled in. Add the milk, 3 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes together, adding another splash milk if needed.
• Stir in the sautéed cabbage, onions, and garlic. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you'd like (I usually add at least another teaspoon of salt – potatoes need a lot of salt!)
• Spoon into a large bowl. Top with a generous pat of butter and sprinkle with a few sliced scallion greens for garnish. Serve.

Notes

Vegan/Dairy-Free Option:

Swap the butter, and milk for plant-based options. Unsweetened oat milk is especially nice in mashed potatoes.

Make-Ahead

Make colcannon up to two days ahead of time. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge, then warm it up either in a slow cooker on warm (stir every 30 minutes or so), over the stove top, or in the oven, covered so they don’t dry out. You can also heat them it in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.

Can I Freeze Colcannon?

You can freeze colcannon up to one month ahead of time. Place in an airtight container, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator and heat before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 344mg | Potassium: 904mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 775IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 2mg

The Story Behind the Recipe

For years I’ve been hearing about Irish Colcannon, a mashed potato dish with greens. I’ve most often seen it with cabbage, but it can be made with kale, too. I was intrigued.

So this year, I decided to make it. Holy yum! I mean, mashed potatoes are always delicious, but the garlic, scallions, and sautéed cabbage really take it to another level. I love that they include some veggies along with the deliciousness of mashed potatoes, and it’s just a super pretty green-flecked dish, too.

I’ll be making this one year-round, not just as a Saint Patrick’s Day side.

Ingredient Details

• Potatoes – I prefer russet potatoes for my colcannon because they cook up nice and fluffy. You’ll want to peel them first. You can also use red potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes. Bonus: No peeling needed! They just need a good scrub and diced smaller so there aren’t huge hunks of peel.
• Scallions – You’ll use the white part for sautéing and the green for garnish.
• Garlic – Adds really nice flavor.
• Cabbage – You can use standard green cabbage as I do here or Napa cabbage.
• Milk – I like to use whole milk but you can use 2% or even an unsweetened plant-based milk.
• Butter – For sautéing, for the potatoes and more for serving.
• Salt & pepper

Adaptations/Variations

• For vegan/dairy-free colcannon, swap in plant-based unsweetened milk and vegan butter.
• Kale colcannon – swap in kale ribbons for the cabbage.

How to Make Colcannon – Step by Step with Pics

1. Saute your veggies and cabbage.
2. Boil the potatoes.
3. Mash the potatoes with milk and butter.
4. Stir in the sautéed cabbage.
5. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you like.
6. Serve topped with more scallions and a generous pat of butter.

I hope this St. Paddy’s Day side is a huge hit for you and your family! We are loving this one here, and I can’t wait to make it again for the big day.

The post Colcannon (Irish Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage) appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Kale Pesto is an amazing-tasting, nutritious alternative to traditional pesto that’s perfect on pasta, stirred into soup, served up with eggs, on sandwiches … this versatile kale and walnut pesto is a fave in our house!

I love to make this kale and walnut pesto all winter long, when the fresh basil for more traditional pesto isn’t as available.

The Story Behind the Recipe

I originally shared the recipe for this Kale Walnut Pesto all the back in 2012, when I tossed it with bow-tie pasta and cherry tomatoes for an easy pasta dish.

But I love this kale pesto recipe so much, I thought I should share it all on its own! I love to add a dollop to vegetarian minestron soup or pasta e fagiole to add even more flavor, or toss it with pasta or gnocchi. It’s great on pizza, avocado toast, grilled cheese, grilled veggie sandwiches, and so much more.

Basically, this is a super versatile pesto to keep in your fridge to level up just about everything!

So it deserved a little limelight of its own.

Why You’ll Love Walnut & Kale Pesto

• Superfood nutrition! With all the vitamins that kale brings to the table (source) + omega-3s and more nutrients thanks to the walnuts (source), this kale walnut pesto is as healthy as it is delicious.
• Versatile! Put it on pasta, gnocchi, stir it into soup, add it to sandwiches, top scrambled eggs, drizzle over roasted veggies … just keep a jar of this walnut kale pesto in your fridge to elevate savory dishes any time you want.
• Economical – Kale is less expensive than basil, so it can save you a buck or two too.

Kale Pesto Recipe Ingredients

• Walnuts – Plain walnuts that you’ll toast up for optimal flavor.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves
• Kale – Any kind works! Curly, tuscan, you name it.
• Parmesan cheese – For that classic pesto flavor.
• Olive oil – Grab your favorite extra virgin olive oil.
• Salt & pepper

Adaptations/Variations

• Add a squeeze of lemon for a punch of zippy bright flavor.
• If you have it, throw in some fresh herbs for more flavor. A little bit of basil, some parsley, a few thyme leaves … all delicious!
• Vegan Option: Omit the parm and add a couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast or more, to taste. You’ll probably need a bit more salt and a squeeze of lemon goes a long way!

How to Make Kale Walnut Pesto

1. First, toast your walnuts. In a saute pan over medium heat, stir the walnuts until just lightly toasted, about two minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Pulse the garlic in a food processor or high speed blender until it’s finely chopped, then add the kale, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Pulse until chopped, turning it off periodically and removing the top/scraping down to press the kale down toward the blade if necessary.
3. With the food processor or blender running on low, stream in the olive oil in in a steady stream until it forms a sauce.
4. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you like. That’s it!

Jump to recipe for the full, printable instructions & directions

Tip for Success

• When roasting nuts, you want to stop RIGHT before they get browned and toasty. Why? Because even off heat, they’ll continue toasting for a bit. So err on the side of less toasting vs. more.

I hope you love this Kale Walnut Pesto as much as we do! It’s versatile, easy, and a nutritional flavor powerhouse!

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Kale Walnut Pesto

Kale is a surprisingly delicious swap for basil in this pesto recipe! The addition of walnuts brings rich flavor and another punch of nutrients. This versatile pesto is so good in pasta, soups, stews, on roasted veggies … the possibilities are endless!

Keyword kale and walnut pesto, kale pesto, kale walnut pesto, walnut kale pesto

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 8 tablespoons

Calories 237kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup walnuts raw; whole is fine but chopped work too
• 2 medium garlic cloves chopped
• 3 cups kale any kind; roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste

Instructions

• In a medium saute pan over medium heat, stir the walnuts until just lightly toasted, about two minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Pulse the garlic in a food processor or high-speed blender until finely chopped, then add the kale, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Pulse until chopped, turning it off periodically and removing the top to press/scrape the kale down toward the blade if necessary.
• With the food processor running on low, pour the olive oil in in a steady stream until it forms a sauce.
• Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Store in an airtight bowl or jar in the fridge for up to 7 days. You can also freeze this pesto for up to 3 months.

Notes

Vegan Option:

Omit the parm and add a couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast or more, to taste. You’ll probably need a bit more salt and a squeeze of lemon goes a long way!

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 187mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 842IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 0.5mg

More Pesto & Sauce Recipes

• Dairy-Free Vegan Basil Pesto
• Romesco Sauce
• Italian Tomato Sauce
• Magic 3-Ingredient Pasta Sauce

The post Kale Walnut Pesto appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Chickpeas and dumplings are definitely my new favorite vegetarian comfort food!

The Story Behind the Recipe

The last Sunday of winter break is the definition of “Sunday Scaries.” I love my job and rarely feel the Sunday Scaries anymore, but this past Sunday, it was pretty rough. Winter break went way too fast!

I’m trying to embrace the week (and all of January) but with the rainy, cold, dreary weather and the letdown after Christmas and break, it’s not super easy.

That’s where comfort food like this Vegetarian Chicken & Dumplings comes into the picture! It always feels good to nourish myself through the doldrums and I’m all about cozying up with a big bowl of this creamy stew full of veggies and topped with impossibly fluffy dumplings. You’ve gotta try this one too!

Why You’ll Love Vegetarian Chicken & Dumplings

• Not complex – If you’ve made chicken and dumplings or any version of the recipe in the past, you know there are a couple of steps: Make the stew, then add the dumplings. So it’s not the simplest of recipes, but it’s also not hard, either! Just whip up the stew, top with dumplings, and simmer for a bit longer.
• Amazing leftovers! – I love to enjoy a second serving for lunch the next day or easy dinner later on in the week. The dumplings hold up surprisingly well – just a quick covered simmer on the stove and it’s comfort food part two!

Vegetarian Chicken & Dumplings Recipe Ingredients

For the stew:

• Olive oil & butter – This Vegetarian Chicken & Dumplings is thickened with a roux, which starts with a combination of olive oil and butter. I like to use both because I enjoy the flavor that both bring, but you can use 100% olive oil or 100% butter (or vegan butter!) if you prefer.
• Onion – Just your standard yellow onion will do, but if all you have is a white onion or red onion on hand, totally fine!
• Carrots – A must-have veggie in Chickpeas & Dumplings!
• Celery – I love the savoriness that a bit of celery brings, and it’s a must-have for your classic mirepoix flavors.
• Garlic
• Flour – You’ll want to use all-purpose flour here.
• Poultry seasoning – A seasoning mix made with marjoram, thyme, sage, and rosemary. It’s easy to find in the spices section of most grocery stores, or you can make your own poultry seasoning at home.
• Thyme – Most poultry seasoning already has thyme, but I love the flavor thyme brings so I like to add some extra.
• Vegetable broth – You can buy it at the store, use veggie Better than Bouillon, or make your own vegetable broth at home (I have a slow cooker veggie broth recipe that I love!)
• Salt – I almost always use kosher salt in my cooking. I start with a little then taste and add more at the end if I feel it needs it.
• Milk – Just your standard 2% or whole dairy milk will work here, or I will often swap in unsweetened oat milk.
• Chickpeas – Just one can, drained.
• Peas – Peas are a classic component of traditional chicken and dumplings, so I was sure to keep them in my vegetarian version, too! I like to use frozen peas.
• Parsley – For a touch of green and herbaceous flavor.

For the dumplings:

• Flour – More all-purpose flour.
• Baking powder
• Parsley – Fresh parsley is not strictly necessary, but I love the touch of herbal flavor and color that it brings to the dumplings.
• Salt
• Butter – Make sure it’s nice and cold so it can be cut into the flour mixture with ease.
• Milk – Again, you can use dairy milk here or unsweetened plant-based milk.

Adaptations/Variations

• Swap in heavy cream for the stew – Use heavy whipping cream in place of some or all of the milk in the stew for a richer, creamier Chickpeas & Dumplings.
• Make it vegan/dairy-free – Swap in vegan butter for the butter and use an unsweetened plant-based milk for the milk. It’s just as delicious as the dairy-full version!

How to Make It

This Vegetarian Chicken and Dumplings recipe is made in two steps – first, whip up the stew, then top with the simple dumpling mixture and simmer until cooked through.

Tips for Success

• Don’t over-mix the dumplings: If you stir them too much, you risk developing the gluten in the dumplings which can make them tough instead of fluffy and tender.
• Test a dumpling to make sure they’re cooked through. Lift a dumpling out of the pot, put it on a plate, then cut it in half. It should be nice and puffy – not doughy – inside. 

I hope this Vegetarian Chicken & Dumplings recipe is a huge comfort-food winner for your family! We are absolutely in love with the cozy vibes and hearty rib-sticking goodness of this one.

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Vegetarian Chicken & Dumplings (with Chickpeas) Recipe

Hearty chickpeas stand in for chicken in this cozy, creamy stew covered with fluffy dumplings. This one is deceptively easy and pretty much the ultimate vegetarian comfort food!

Keyword chickpeas and dumplings, vegetarian chicken and dumplings

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 508kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

For the stew:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 4 medium carrots diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
• 1/4 cup milk
• 15 ounces chickpeas 1 can; drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley plus more for garnish

For the dumplings:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• 1 cup milk

Instructions

Make the stew

• Place a medium or large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-low heat. Add the butter and olive oil. When warm, add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sweat the veggies until tender and soft, about 8 minutes. If the vegetables begin to brown, lower the heat – you only want to sweat them.
• Add the 1/3 cup flour along with the poultry seasoning, thyme, and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes .
• Stream in the vegetable broth, stirring to pick up any bits that are stuck to the pot. Stir in the milk.
• Increase heat to medium high and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the drained chickpeas, frozen peas, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Taste and add more salt if you feel it needs it.

Make the dumplings

• In a medium size bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, parsley, and salt. Add the butter and use a pastry blender to mix it into the flour while cutting it into little pieces. You can use your fingers to help distribute the butter through the flour mix. You want the butter to be about the size of oats. Add the milk and stir with a fork JUST until combined; do not over-mix, or you risk developing the gluten in the dumplings which can make them tough.
• Using two soup spoons, scoop out dumplings, transferring each dumpling from one spoon to the next once or twice until slightly rounded, then pushing the dumpling off of the spoon into the simmering soup. Repeat with the rest of the dumpling batter, evenly covering the pot of soup – you should have 10-12 dumplings.
• Reduce the heat to low and place the lid on the pot. Simmer covered until the dumplings are cooked through, about 15 minutes. You can lift a dumpling out of the pot, put it on a plate, and cut in half to check for doneness. It will be puffy and not doughy inside.
• Garnish with a few more pinches of parsley and serve.

Notes

Vegan/Dairy-Free Option

Swap in vegan butter for the butter and use an unsweetened plant-based milk for the milk.

Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or covered on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 508kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 1091mg | Potassium: 578mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 7563IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 262mg | Iron: 6mg

More Vegetarian Comfort Food Recipes

• Chickpea & Noodle Soup
• The Best Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe Ever
• Veggie Pot Pies
• Super Easy Crock Pot “Baked” Ziti

The post Vegetarian Chicken & Dumplings (with Chickpeas) appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Step away from the Starbucks – this iced pumpkin spiced latte brings all the fall vibes in the most frugal way.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love This Iced Pumpkin Spiced Latte
• Ingredients
• How to Make This Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Tips for Success
• More Pumpkin Coffee Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

I’m a pumpkin coffee fiend. There’s just something about that first cozy, fragrant sip of pumpkin spice coffee that just brings me firmly into autumn mode.

I especially love iced pumpkin spice coffee drinks for when the September days are warm, but fall is in the air. I’ve created recipes for a dairy-free pumpkin cream cold brew coffee, pumpkin spice iced coffee, and a dairy-free pumpkin spice creamer, along with a more general pumpkin spice syrup that turns any cup of coffee into a sip of fall.

For this pumpkin coffee drink, I wanted to create a super simple and easy pumpkin iced latte recipe. No brewing up a separate syrup, no blenders … just an easy iced pumpkin spiced latte that goes from idea to sipping in just a few minutes.

I took the idea that I also use in my Iced Matcha Latte recipe – a mason jar, a lid, and some shaking – and developed an iced pumpkin spice latte that, in my opinion, nails it!

Why You’ll Love This Iced Pumpkin Spiced Latte

• One dish – No need to dirty a blender or a pan. Instead, this iced pumpkin spice latte is made right in a mason jar! Then just plop in a straw and you’re ready to drink.
• Just a few minutes to make – For me, the thing that takes the longest is brewing the espresso in my little stovetop espresso maker. From there it’s just a matter of chilling the coffee and mixing everything together.

Ingredients

• Espresso – You’ll want a couple of shots of your favorite espresso. If you don’t have espresso beans or a brewer on hand, you can use strong coffee instead.
• Ice
• Milk – I’m partial to oat milk in my iced pumpkin spice latte. It’s super rich and creamy! But you can use whichever milk you prefer, from dairy milk to almond, soy, oat, or hemp.
• Pumpkin puree – We don’t go crazy with the pumpkin here; instead, just a tablespoon is all that’s needed to add some color and flavor. Plus, we’ve gotta have real pumpkin in our pumpkin spice iced latte!
• Pure maple syrup – I really like using maple syrup because I don’t have to worry about little grains of sugar needing to dissolve (like with granulated sugar). That said, you can totally use plain sugar instead. Just keep in mind it’ll need a bit of time to dissolve.
• Vanilla – A touch of pure vanilla extract adds a mellow sweetness. If you prefer a product without alcohol, you can use vanilla beans, powder, or a paste.
• Pumpkin pie spice – I’ve found that in this iced pumpkin spice latte recipe, a little pumpkin spice goes a long way. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice on hand, you can make pumpkin pie spice at home, or use a large pinch of ground cinnamon along with smaller pinches of ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Salt – Just a pinch of fine sea salt helps to highlight and round out the sweetness. Trust me!

How to Make This Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

1. Brew your espresso and let it cool for a few minutes, until no longer steaming.
2. Pour the espresso into a mason jar. Add some of the ice, screw on the top, and shake vigorously (but carefully!) until the outside of the jar is cold and the coffee has cooled down.
3. Add the milk, pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla, spices, and the pinch of salt.
4. Screw the lid back on and shake, shake, shake until everything is homogenous and the mixture has gotten somewhat foamy.
5. Add the rest of the ice – more or less as desired.
6. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg. Add a straw and drink in the fall goodness!

Tips for Success

• For a less watered-down pumpkin spiced iced latte, make some coffee ice cubes in advance, then thank me later!
• If you don’t have a mason jar, you can use a cocktail shaker to get the latte nice and cold. If you don’t have either, just stir it really, really well. The idea is to get it nice and cold and to get the spices and pumpkin blended in super well so your pumpkin spice iced latte is super creamy and delicious.

I hope this Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte brings you so much fall joy! I just love the coziness that fall brings, and coffee is already inherently cozy, so iced pumpkin spiced latte = off the charts autumn perfection! 🎃

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Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

A big creamy icy coffee drink full of pumpkin spice flavors? Yes please! This Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte is especially easy to make so you can get to sipping ASAP.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 1 glass

Calories 200kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 2 shots espresso or 1/3 cup strong coffee
• 1-2 cups ice
• 1 cup oat milk or milk of choice
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• pinch fine sea salt

Topping

• whipped cream
• dash ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

• Brew espresso (or coffee) and let it cool for 5-10 minutes, until no longer steaming.
• Pour espresso into a 24- or 32-ounce mason jar. Add 1/2 cup of the ice cubes. Screw on the lid and shake until the espresso has cooled down.
• Add the milk, pumpkin, pure maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and pinch of salt.
• Screw on the lid and shake well, until all ingredients are mixed together and the mixture has gotten a bit foamy.
• Add the remaining ice. Top with whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon. Plop in a straw and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1glass | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 137mg | Potassium: 269mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 2828IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 383mg | Iron: 2mg

More Pumpkin Coffee Recipes

• Slow Cooker Pumpkin Gingerbread Latte
• Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
• Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee
• Pumpkin Spice Coffee Syrup

Pumpkin obsessed? Check out the pumpkin recipes on my other blog, Good Gourds!

The post Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

These Black Bean & Rice Enchiladas make a super easy vegetarian dinner.

The Story Behind the Recipe

I’ve always thought of enchiladas as being a bit too … labor intensive. But lately, I decided to tackle my prejudice against enchiladas, and I’m so glad I did!

I started with a simple and easy homemade enchilada sauce, then set out to make an equally simple yet delicious and hearty vegetarian enchilada recipe. I know rice isn’t necessarily a traditional ingredient, but I really like how the rice fills out these black bean enchiladas and makes them feel even more like a meal-in-one.

Why You’ll Love Black Bean & Rice Enchiladas

• Fast! They’re surprisingly quick to put together.
• Simple! I don’t add a ton of ingredients to these black bean enchiladas. We’re keeping it simple, here. That said …
• Versatile! This is an extremely versatile recipe. Omit the cheese or swap it for dairy-free cheese if you’re eating vegan/dairy-free. Add a bunch of veggies if you like (roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower would be excellent!) Make it your own!
• Perfect for leftover rice! I don’t know what it is about rice … but there’s ALWAYS a bit leftover, I swear! I love that this black bean & rice enchilada recipe uses up a cup of leftover cooked rice.

Ingredients

• Olive oil – For sauteing the veggies.
• Onion – A standard yellow onion will do here, but use your fave (sweet or red are great too)
• Red bell pepper – Yellow or orange will work, too.
• Garlic – Finely minced fresh garlic.
• Cumin – For an earthy touch of flavor.
• Salt – To taste.
• Black beans – One can, or about 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans from scratch.
• Rice – You’ll need one cup of cooked rice (I like to use brown rice). If you don’t have any leftover rice, start with about 1/3 cup of raw rice and cook it according to package instructions.
• Tortillas – You’ll need 10 (6-inch) corn tortillas or flour tortillas, whichever is your fave.
• Enchilada sauce – Use your favorite brand or make your own homemade enchilada sauce!
• Cheese – I like to use shredded medium cheddar, but you can swap in your fave cheddar or even jack cheese. Pepper jack would add a nice little spicy kick!
• Optional garnishes – Avocado, cilantro, scallion, whatever you want

Adaptations/Variations

• Vegan Black Bean & Rice Enchiladas: Omit the cheese or swap in a dairy-free substitute.
• Black Bean Enchiladas: Just omit the rice.
• Black Bean & Sweet Potato Enchiladas: Add 1 cup diced roasted sweet potatoes.

Tip for Success

Spreading the sauce on the tortillas should be enough to soften them up (at least in my experience). But if your tortillas are cracking when you roll them them up, I suggest wrapping them in a clean wet kitchen towel and microwaving them for a few seconds at a time until soft, or place them in the oven at 200 degrees F for about 10 minutes until warm and pliable. 

I hope you love this vegetarian enchiladas recipe! We’ve been loving these easy black bean enchiladas for easy dinners, and they warm up well for a quick and hearty lunch, too.

I’m so glad I got over my enchilada prejudice and learned they’re actually super easy to make!

More Vegetarian Mexican-Inspired Recipes

• Veggie Enchilada Casserole
• Portobello Fajitas
• Refried Bean & Cheese Burritos
• Beans & Greens Tacos
• Lentil Walnut Taco “Meat”
• Vegetarian Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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Black Bean & Rice Enchiladas Recipe

These easy vegetarian enchiladas are super hearty, full of black beans, rice, spices, veggies, and lots of melty cheddar cheese!

Keyword black bean and rice enchiladas, black bean enchiladas, vegetarian enchiladas, veggie enchiladas

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 989kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion diced; about 2 cups
• 1 red bell pepper diced; about 1 cup
• 2 medium cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 10 6-inch corn or flour tortillas
• 1 batch red enchilada sauce 3 cups / 24 ounces
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 10 ounces

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Have a 9×13" baking pan ready

Sauté the filling ingredients

• In a large skillet over medium-low heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and bell pepper. Saute, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic and saute, stirring frequently, for one more minute.
• Stir in the cumin and salt and then add the black beans and cooked rice. Stir until combined then remove from heat.

Assemble the enchiladas

• Set up an assembly line with the filling, the enchilada sauce, the cheese, a large plate with the stack of tortillas on it, and the baking dish.
• Spread 1-2 tablespoons of the enchilada sauce over the first tortilla. Add 1/3 cup of the filling horizontally down the center. Top with 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar. Starting at the bottom, roll the enchilada up tight and set it in the baking dish.
• Continue with the remaining tortillas.
• Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top and use a spatula to spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.

Bake & finish the enchiladas

• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until bubbling and hot.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro, avocado, and chopped scallions if desired. Serve.

Notes

Serving size averages out to about 1 1/2 enchiladas.

Spreading the sauce on the tortillas should be enough to soften them up (at least in my experience). But if your tortillas are cracking when you roll them them up, I suggest wrapping them in a clean wet kitchen towel and microwaving them for a few seconds at a time until soft, or place them in the oven at 200 degrees F for about 10 minutes until warm and pliable. 

Vegan/Dairy-Free Option:

Use dairy-free cheddar or omit it entirely. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2enchiladas | Calories: 989kcal | Carbohydrates: 146g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 660mg | Potassium: 1927mg | Fiber: 46g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 854IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 450mg | Iron: 12mg

The post Black Bean & Rice Enchiladas Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

The combination of textures in a creamy, full-of-flavor dressing are, in a phrase, on point.

Red grapes add a sweet, juicy bite, and toasted pecans + bits of crunchy celery add a satisfying crunch. And that creamy dressing, made with tangy Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon and dill … this creamy chickpea salad is so, SO good stuffed inside a croissant.

The Story Behind the Recipe

I’m always excited about the recipes I share with you, but this creamy chickpea salad sandwich is one that I’m extra excited about. It hits on all fronts: It’s super easy to make, perfect for making ahead, and – oh yeah – tastes amazing!

I’ve been seeing a lot of chicken salad recipes with grapes and pecans, and I felt driven to make a version with chickpeas. I am SO GLAD I DID.

Ingredients

For the chickpea salad:

• Chickpeas – I use two cans, which equates to about four cups of chickpeas.
• Pecans – Chop them pretty finely and toast them. Worth it!
• Celery – For that classic chicken salad flavor and a bit of satisfying crunch.
• Onion – Red onion is perfect. I mince it VERY finely because I love the flavor and the bit of crunch but don’t want to find a huge piece of onion in my chickpea salad sandwich.
• Grapes – Many chicken salad recipes called for halved grapes, but I go one step further and quarter them. For me, this just makes more sense for a chickpea version because chickpeas are on the smaller side and in something like this, the textures are more satisfying when the sizes can match up. Plus, you’re more likely to get a sweet juicy grape in very bite!

For the dressing:

• Greek yogurt – Full fat, plain. Sour cream will work as a sub, too, but I like the added health benefits of Greek yogurt (protein, probiotics, etc.) (source)
• Mayonnaise – Adds another note of creamy flavor. Use your favorite brand.
• Lemon juice – From one medium or large juicy lemon.
• Dill – You can use fresh minced dill, or I’ve provided an option for dried dill if that’s what you have on hand.
• Salt & pepper – This one calls for quite a bit of salt because in my opinion, the chickpeas and Greek yogurt need it. If you’re not sure or don’t like a lot of salt, go ahead and start with 1/2 teaspoon then add more at the end if you feel it needs it.

For the sandwiches:

• Croissants – HIGHLY recommend filling croissants with this creamy chickpea salad. But you can also use plain ol’ bread if you prefer.

Tips for Success

• Toast the pecans first. This will give them a chance to cool off a bit before you add them to the salad.
• Mash the chickpea salad. But only a little! This helps the chickpea salad to hold together a bit better inside your sandwiches.

I hope this Creamy Chickpea Salad Sandwich is a winner for you, too! I threw this one together, tweaking here and there where I felt it needed it, and on first taste I thought it was an immediate homerun. It’s SO awesome for making ahead and keeping in the fridge for quick and easy lunches and snacks. Winner winner chickpea dinner!

Favorite Chickpea Recipes

• Vegetarian Tuna Salad Sandwiches with Chickpeas
• Buffalo Chickpea Green Salad
• Massaged Kale Salad with Chickpeas and Avocado
• Broccoli Cheddar Chickpea Noodle Casserole
• Chickpea & Tomato Curry

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Creamy Chickpea Salad Sandwiches with Red Grapes & Toasted Pecans Recipe

Chickpeas, juicy grapes, crunchy pecans, and celery in a creamy lemon-dill dressing, piled into buttery croissants and devoured! This creamy Chickpea Salad Sandwich might just be the BEST (and easiest!) vegetarian sandwich!

Course lunch

Keyword chickpea chicken salad, chickpea salad, chickpea salad sandwich, creamy chickpea salad, vegetarian chicken salad

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 411kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

For the chickpea salad:

• 1/2 cup pecans chopped and toasted
• 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas drained and rinsed
• 1 cup diced celery about 2 stalks
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion about 1/2 small onion
• 1 cup red grapes quartered

For the dressing:

• 2/3 cup Greek yogurt can substitute sour cream
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh minced dill or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste

For the sandwiches:

• 6 croissants

Instructions

Toast the pecans

• Lightly chop the pecans and add them to a medium skillet over medium heat. Toast, stirring occasionally until fragrant and ever so lightly golden. Remove from heat. When toasting nuts, you want to be sure to remove them from the heat before you think you need to, because they will continue toasting off heat and can burn easily.

Prep chickpea salad ingredients

• To a large bowl, add the chickpeas, celery, onion, grapes, and toasted pecans. Toss gently to mix together.

Make the dressing

• To a small bowl, add the Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until combined.

Mix the salad

• Pour the salad dressing over the salad ingredients and combine well.
• Using a potato masher, mash the salad 3-4 times just to smash a few chickpeas then remix it all together. This will help it to be more homogenous and hold together better when inside the sandwich.
• Taste the chickpea salad and add more salt and pepper if desired.

Assemble sandwiches

• Slice croissants in half horizontally and add 3/4 cup to 1 cup of chickpea salad to the bottom half of the croissant. Top with other half. Cut in half vertically and serve.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Vegan option:

The mayo and Greek yogurt make this non-vegan as-is, but a couple of simple swaps will get you there. I’d recommend vegan mayo and either store-bought or homemade vegan sour cream for the Greek yogurt.

Gluten-free option: 

Use a gluten-free croissant or a couple of slices of your favorite GF bread. Or just serve this up on a bed of lettuce and bypass the bread altogether.

Meat option:

If you’re making sandwiches for meat-eaters and vegetarians eating together, I’d divide the pecans, grapes, celery, and onion between two medium-size bowls. Add half the chickpeas to one and about a cup of cooked, chopped chicken to the other. Divide the dressing between the bowls and mix together. Voila! Chicken salad and chickpea “chicken” salad!

 

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 708mg | Potassium: 244mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 536IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Creamy Chickpea Salad Sandwich with Red Grapes & Pecans Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

These Crispy Fried Buffalo Tofu Bites are an incredible vegetarian alternative to buffalo wings. And it is super, SUPER easy to make – just 8 ingredients and 30 minutes (including pressing your tofu!)

Crispy, Craggy Tofu Bites Drenched in Buttery Buffalo Sauce = YES PLEASE

I’m a huge fan of tofu, but I don’t have nearly enough tofu recipes on Kitchen Treaty! So I’m really excited to share this crispy buffalo tofu with you today.

I love the idea of a spicy buffalo situation with ranch and/or blue cheese to cool things off. Celery (and maybe even carrot) sticks mandatory!

But as a vegetarian, Buffalo wings are a no-go. I’ve tried Buffalo cauliflower, and it’s great! But I wanted something that had more main-dish cred, with more protein than cauliflower can offer. Enter stage right: Tofu! (*applause!*)

I wanted the tofu to start out crispy, so I took a cue from my salt and pepper crispy tofu and decided to toss it in cornstarch then pan-fry it. And it was excellent.

But tearing the tofu into hunks, instead of cutting it, was the clincher for this buffalo tofu! Tearing it into chunks gives us lots of crispy, craggy edges that get golden and perfect and really hold on to the buffalo sauce. I like, too, that the nuggets differ in sizes. Makes this buffalo tofu more interesting to eat!

My first bite of this crispy Buffalo tofu was one of wide-eye, just, YES. And then quickly a drink of water to cool things down.

Because yes – it’s spicy. But in the best possible way!

Crispy Buffalo Tofu Ingredient Info

• Tofu – You’ll want a block of extra-firm tofu.
• Cornstarch – Tossing the tofu with cornstarch helps soak up any additional moisture and gives crispy tofu its crispiness!
• Garlic powder – The garlicky touch pairs nicely with the spicy sauce.
• Smoked paprika – For a smoky note.
• Salt & pepper – For flavor!
• Vegetable oil – To fry the tofu. You can use another favorite neutral high smoke-point oil such as canola oil, or avocado oil is a great option if you’re looking for a non-seed oil.
• Buffalo sauce – I go with a classic usually: Frank’s Red Hot. But Primal Kitchens makes an excellent one, too.
• Butter – Melted into the Buffalo sauce.
• For serving – Scallions for garnish, ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing for dipping, carrot and/or celery sticks served alongside

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Crispy Buffalo Tofu Recipe

Crispy pan-fried golden tofu nuggets, tossed in a buttery buffalo sauce. Ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping (and putting out the fire!) is mandatory!

Keyword buffalo tofu, crispy buffalo tofu, tofu buffalo wings

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 158kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 14 ounces extra firm tofu one block; pressed for 15-20 minutes; torn into 1-2" hunks
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup Buffalo sauce I use Frank's Red Hot Sauce
• 3 tablespoons butter can sub vegan butter
• 2 scallions thinly sliced, for garnish

For serving

• ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
• celery sticks and/or carrot sticks
• sliced scallions for garnish

Instructions

Press & prepare the tofu

• Open the container of tofu and discard the liquid. Place it in a tofu press or on a plate with several paper towels or a clean dish towel underneath. Add another paper towel or towel on top and stack 3-4 plates or a couple of books on the top. This will help gently press excess moisture out of the tofu. Watch your stack carefully, though, and make sure it's not near the edge of the counter! Sometimes the pile can topple. I may or may not have broken several plates this way recently. Doh.
• Tear the block of tofu into 1" to 2" pieces and place them into a gallon-size storage bag. If you have a few bigger or smaller pieces, that's okay! They'll all taste great.
• Sprinkle the cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt over the tofu in the bag. Seal the bag and gently toss and shake the tofu around, evenly distributing the spices and cornstarch as much as possible.
  

Warm the buffalo sauce

• Place the butter (or vegan butter) and buffalo sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook until warm and the butter has melted. Keep warm while you cook the tofu.

Cook the tofu

• Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil. You want enough oil to cover the bottom of your skillet, so if 3 tablespoons isn't quite enough, go ahead and add another tablespoon or two if needed.
• Pour the bag of tofu into the pan. Cook, turning occasionally and separating the pieces when/if they stick together, until golden brown and crisp in most spots, about 10 minutes.
• Line a plate or board with paper towels and use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked tofu from the skillet to the paper towel. Gently blot the top with another paper towel. This will help to drain off any excess oil.
  

Combine the tofu and sauce

• Place the coked tofu in a medium bowl. Drizzle the warm buffalo sauce mixture over the top. Toss gently with a spatula. Transfer to a platter or individual plates and garnish with sliced scallions, if using. Serve immediately with blue cheese or ranch dressing and carrot and/or veggie sticks.
  

Notes

Tips for success

• Let it fry for longer than you think it might need. A deep golden brown sear is where it’s at!
• Don’t skip the step of pressing your tofu. This helps remove any excess water so your tofu can crisp up nicely.

Vegan/dairy-free tofu buffalo wings:

Make sure your buffalo sauce is vegan and use your favorite vegan butter instead of dairy butter. And make sure your dipping sauce is dairy/egg free, too.

Serving info: Serves about four as an appetizer. As an entree, it’s more like two generous serving.

Storage: You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days, but I recommend eating this crispy tofu pretty much right after you cook it. The crispiness is just not going to be there after refrigerating and reheat. It’ll still taste great! The texture will just be different. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 1173mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 384IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

More Tofu Recipes

• Crispy Salt & Pepper Tofu
• Tofu Bacon
• Sheet Pan Tofu & Veggies
• Ultimate Veggie BLT
• Grilled Tofu Tacos

The post Crispy Buffalo Tofu Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Fresh slices of cucumbers, topped with cool garlic-herb cream cheese and garnished with sprigs of dill (or whatever else you want to garnish ’em with!) They’re perfect for parties or even a quick snack at home when you’re feeling fancy. Or just famished.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love Cucumber Cream Cheese Canapés
• Ingredients
• How to Make Cucumber Canapés
• Tip for Success
• More Appetizer Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
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The Story Behind the Recipe

I created these cute cucumber appetizers when I was developing the recipe for garlic and herb cream cheese. I wanted to use my cream cheese for cucumber sandwiches (recipe coming this spring!) but then I was thinking that it would be delicious and easy to pipe the cream cheese onto cucumber rounds, just like my cucumber sunflower seed pate appetizers. Voila! A new cucumber appetizer was born.

Why You’ll Love Cucumber Cream Cheese Canapés

I mean, what’s not to love?! They’re easy, super tasty, and a great way to work in a veggie appetizer.

They’re super easy to make in advance, too. I like to slice my cucumbers and whip up the cream cheese up to two days ahead of time then just arrange the cucumbers on the serving dish, pipe on the herb cream cheese, and done!

Ingredients

• Cucumber – I like to use English cucumbers because you can leave the thin, edible peel on for more color.
• Cream cheese – Make sure it’s been out of the fridge for a bit so that it’s easy to mix the cream cheese with the other ingredients.
• Mayo – This adds some creaminess and a bit of tangy flavor.
• Dill – I like to use fresh dill (found in the produce section of most grocery stores). The dill goes into the cream cheese and also makes a pretty garnish on top of your cucumber canapés.
• Garlic powder & onion powder – You can use fresh garlic and finely minced onion or scallions if you prefer. I like to use garlic powder and onion powder because they both add tons of flavor but requires less chopping.
• Salt & pepper

How to Make Cucumber Canapés

First, slice up your cucumbers and line them up on your serving plate or platter. Then, mix up your garlic and herb cream cheese.

Put the cream cheese into a bag affixed with a piping tip (I like a star tip).

Pipe the cream cheese mixture onto your cucumber slices.

Garnish with some extra dill. Done!

Tip for Success

• Make sure your cream cheese is softened a bit before starting. Pull it out of the fridge about an hour before you want to mix it up – this way it’s not super hard and impossible to mix.
• Dab the cucumber slices with a paper towel. If your cucumber slices are sweating a bit and the cream cheese starts to slide off, dab them with a paper towel to dry off the slices before adding the cream cheese mixture.

More Appetizer Recipes

• Marinated Cheese & Olive Skewers
• Cucumber Slices with Sunflower Seed Pate (vegan/dairy-free)
• Classic Hummus
• Olive Hummus

Print

Cucumber Cream Cheese Canapés Recipe

A super easy cucumber appetizer with cucumber slices and a delicious herb and garlic cream cheese piped on top. Elegant yet delicious!

Keyword cucumber appetizer, cucumber canapes, cucumber cream cheese appetizer, cucumber cream cheese canapes

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 48 canapés

Calories 21kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1 large English cucumber sliced 1/4-inch thick; about 48 slices
• 8 ounces cream cheese softened a bit at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill plus more for garnish
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder finely minced or grated
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
• Pinch freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste

Instructions

• Slice the cucumber and line the slices on a platter.
• Add the cream cheese, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pinch ground pepper. If your cream cheese is soft enough, you should be able to mix it together with a fork; if not or if it's not working well with a fork, I suggest using the beater attachments on your hand mixer to blend it all together.
• Transfer the cream cheese to a plastic storage bag or piping bag affixed with your tip of choice (I like to use a star tip). Pipe the cream cheese onto the cucumber slices. Garnish with fresh dill sprigs and serve.

Notes

Vegan option: Use a dairy-free/vegan cream cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 21kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.4g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 15mg | Fiber: 0.05g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 69IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.02mg

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