31 October 2006

Moroccan Chickpea Patties, Lentil-Quinoa Stew & The New #1

I think I have found something new to add to the list of foods I make over and over again. "Moroccan Chickpea Patties"!!! These wonders come from page 97 of Vive le Vegan, delicious and creative courtesy of Dreena. If you are like me and have never made these before and have owned the cookbook since it practically came out, make them very soon because you are missing out. I cannot wait to make them again! I served these with the recommended Ginger Dipping Sauce. So good...

I have had my eye on this recipe but passed it by many times due to the ingredient called fennel bulb, but if it weren't for the fennel incident, I would possibly never have tried these. After I decided to throw away all that nasty potato leek soup as described in the post below, I still had a fennel in the fridge that was lonely and yearning for my attention. I decided to email Dreena and asked for her suggestions for some non-oven fennel recipes. Among others, she suggested the Moroccan Chickpea Patties from one of my favorite cookbooks, and my tastebuds will never be the same again. I cannot give away too much, but just be prepared for some ginger, cinnamon, cumin and fennel = amazing.

Next up is some lentil-quinoa stew. Specifically, red lentil. I made this once or twice before but I believe I based it on a recipe or a few recipes combined. This time I just used what sounded good. I have a real recipe to provide (I'm on a roll, huh?!).
Leslie's Special Lentil Quinoa Stew
*yields aprox. 3 quarts (probably serves 6, I served 3 super-hungry people and have leftovers for 2 more)

1T olive oil
1 med-large onion, diced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
5c total liquid (H2O, veg broth, etc)
1c red lentils, sorted and rinsed
1/2c quinoa, rinsed for 2 minutes
1t basil, dried
1t oregano, dried
1t sea salt
1t black pepper
2t salsa (or if you actually have real tomatoes use 1)
1/2t cilantro, dried, or 1/4c loose fresh
2T apple cider vinegar

Method: In a large stockpot on medium heat saute onions in olive oil until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the rest of the veggies and spices and stir. Turn heat up to medium-high and add the water (or equiv), lentils and quinoa. Stir. Cover. Bring to a boil and lower the heat. Simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. With an immersion blender (or in 1/2 batches, carefully), puree only 1/2 of the soup. This step isn't necessary, but blends everything nicely (highly recommended). Turn off the heat and let it chill. Finally, add the salsa (or equiv), cilantro and apple cider vinegar. Stir and serve.
I bought my first sweet potato. I plan on making a soup from Nava Atlas' soup book which I love (more on that in another post). And an organic pumpkin. And 2 russets but those aren't exciting. I do have exciting purple creamer potoatoes in the pantry keepin' cool (yeah right) and dark. The stem came off the pumpkin, but I really don't know what to do with it since it needs to be un-baked. I am really more excited about looking at it than eating it. I'm not really a pumpkin-eating person. I do love the seeds though.
Yum. Need I say more?! Yes...
This is totally my new favorite ice cream flavor. I am super-happy that it finally made it over to AZ and I am even happier that I know someone who loves it just as much. This ice cream has also changed a few things in my ice-cream-standards world and it has moved up and kicked cookies and creme out of the #1 spot (for now?). I have mixed feelings about admitting this (as if I am really *admitting* anything), but I am on my second pint of Turtle Trails in barely over 24 hours. That's how freakin' good this is and I don't really say freakin so you must know how amazing this is... Imagine... thick, creamy swirls of caramel, not skimped at all, swirling around creamy vanilla with--- get this--- chocolate coated candied pecans and the candied part is made of beet sugar. All organic too. I can't get over how good this is.

At first my main reason for talking about the ice cream was the following (I got held up in describing how amazing it is): I knew this was coming one day soon, but it has slowly arrived... safety seals! I am so happy about this. For those who don't know, I've read books, been through microbiology labs, and I am picky, so I get concerned of my ice cream tops lifting off so simply. Ray eats StoneyField Farm organic (dairy but non-egg) ice cream and it has a plastic seal like yogurts have. This is hard to see in the photo, but it is a safety seal that uses minimal (I think?) plastic and is just around the outside of the lid. I feel so much better about eating ice cream now... I didn't even think it could get better. It has! The only 2 flavors I've seen so far that are safety sealed are the Turtle Trails and Cookies n Creme pint size. I am so happy about the new advances in the [soy] ice cream world.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Morrocan patties look great. I'll definitely give them a try. Also, I was just getting ready to place my bulk food order and wanted to order soy ice cream and couldn't decide on a flavor that would satisfy me through an entire 6 pints. I'm going to take your review to heart and get the Turtle Trails. I've never tried this flavor before but Im very excited about it. I'll let you know how it goes!

Kris said...

It's funny you made those chickpea patties, because I was just looking at them tonight, while paging through Vive. I'm going to have to try them soon.

I love you! More soup for me to make! I could eat warm soup and bread almost every day. I will admit that the inclusion of apple cider vinegar freaks me out, though. I tend to avoid recipes involving vinegar because it freaks me out so much.

Oh, you mentioned the creamer potatoes and you made me think of a classic Jim moment. He was talking about some mashed potatoes I made with creamers and he asked "What where those called? Smooshies?" So now we always refer to creamer potatoes as smooshies. We're dorks.

Yay, Turtle Trails! It's my absolute favorite ice cream ever! Isn't the caramel incredible? I'm so happy about the safety seals, too.

Mary said...

I need to get Dreena's books! I only have Isa's first book. I wish I had more money. :( I've had that ice cream and it's fantastic! I never liked ice cream before going vegan and now I could eat that stuff every day. Unfortunately I would be fat. Oh well I eat it when I crave it!

Melissa said...

I am afraid of fennel sometimes. Although I have had it in a cauliflower roast from La Dolce Vegan and it was divine. I have to choose some recipes from Vive for the Veggin'Out forum cookbook challenge, so I think I'll make these patties.

Judy said...

I am afraid of fennel too. I have never cooked with it, only fennel seeds which ruined the stuffed peppers I added them to. I hate licorice flavour, so I don't know. To counteract that, I love sweet potatoes. I think they are my favourite food, I could eat them every day. And the lentil patties look awesome!

KleoPatra said...

Hi Leslie! TURTLE TRAILS "ICE CREAM" --- yowza mama, i would say "freakin'" about that one myself. Safety seals on things that open easily are a necessity in this day and age, not only because of possible tampering (isn't it a great world... remember the Tylenol incident many years back?!) but also because of accidental opening that could allow pretty much anything to get in... even for a moment, it's not exactly sanitary!

Add me to the list of those not a fan of cooking with fennel (sounds like a good title for a novel or TV show... better than Emeril, i'm sure!), mostly because i haven't used it knowingly in its "raw" form. I'm like that with other ingredients as well. Good for you to be in contact with Dreena 'cause she would be the one with so many answers to help calm any fears of fennel...

Those Moroccan Chickpea Patties look really scrumptious, and that dipping sauce, i spy it in the plastic bowl there... lookin' good!

Ya know, because you are such a fan of lentils (and that stew w/quinoa is gorgeous, by the way) it is you i think of when i pass by the little lenties in bulk bins at the stores where i shop...

Sweet po's are one of life's best things. SOOOOOO good for you AND they taste groovy. I'm not big on pumpkin eating in any way, but that is a lovely pumpkin you have.

Hope you are feeling well and life is being very, very good to you!

Eat Peace Please said...

Crystal, do give the moroccan patties a try, I can't wait to have them again (with my leftover sauce and new fennel already!). 6 pints?! That's my kinda person what a way to go for it Crystal! I do hope you like and thanks for taking my review to heart. That means a lot to me.

Kris, as I already said to you, make the patties and don't be afraid of the vinegar. It's wonderful mixed in foods. While I'm at it, do you have your blender/food processor out on the counter at all times, lady?! You are welcome for the soup recipe, I make soups because I am lazy and like one pot meals with tons of awesomeness inside (you know it's not *cold*). As for the smooshies, I had them tonight. I'm still stuffed. I love how deep purple they are and I like the chunkiness it added to my tri-blend of potatoes. And about the ice cream, yes the caramel is incredible, but I haven't stopped thinking of your apple idea in 24 hours.

Mary, that's good you eat ice cream when you want. I pretty much know I over-induldge in it! Does your local library have any of Dreena's books? I rent cookbooks quite often. Give it a try if you can.

Melissa, I'm not afraid of fennel anymore. I also didn't really know how to prepare it or what to do with it, so I am feeling better about even using it just once. Good luck with the challenge. Oh, and I hate cauliflower- you will never see it on my blog. Ick.

Judy, as I said above to Melissa, I'm not afraid anymore. I really like it and have purchased 2 small ones since. I hate the licorice flavor too, but as Dreena warned me (in a good way) the flavor changes tremendously when cooked. I like it. Thanks for your comments.

Kleo, you make me smile so big every time you comment to me (and about the Conjunction Junction comment below). I barely remember the Tylenol incident, and knowing me, like the spinach I probably just made a sarcastic remark about pharmacutic comanies and pills themselves. Anyway, I love being able to contact Dreena as well. It helps a lot, plus I like her. I am a huge fan of lentils and that's funny that you think of me. Think of me tomorrow because I'm getting more red ones. I made a huge batch of sloppy lenties part for dinner and 4 parts to freeze for busy/lazy days. What is your favorite way (non-oven please) of making sweet potato dishes? I have 2 and 1 "yam" which I really think is the real sweet potato. Thanks for commenting Kleo, I am glad you are back safe and sound and with photos and stories from your vacation.

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

Ooo you're right, those patties looks awesome. I need to check that book out again~ Also, your soup looks so golden and warming (and I'm freezing at work right now).
I <3 turtle tracks as well, I was blown away as well the first time I had it - I had a pint with maybe TWO tracks once. That was a sad day.

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your blog for a while but never commented. Somehow I must have missed why all your recipes are non-oven. Is there a story there?

I am going to make the quinoa soup this weekend. 2t of salsa doesn't sound like much - does it really add a lot to the taste of the soup?

Thanks!

Everyday Superhero said...

The patties look so good.
I love fennel raw. It makes for such a good snack.
Did you know that Nava Atlas (sp?) is revising all her cookbooks so they're vegan? The soup one is out now or will be out soon.
Sweet Pea

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the Quinoa recipe. My hubby has been wanting me to try some recipes with quinoa in it because of how healthy it is. I will definitely be giving this soup a try.
As for the ice cream. It sounds like bites of heaven. I will be looking for this when I make my trip to Palo Alto next week. I am sure I will be able to find it there at Whole Foods.

laura k said...

I'm glad your chickpea patties came out well... they look so good but I am curious how strong the fennel is? I can't remember ever liking the taste of fennel, but maybe if there are enough other flavors going on. Anyway, I want to like it because this looks so good!

I've never seen Turtle Tracks in any of the stores around here... :( I would love to try it sometime.

bazu said...

Leslie,
I share your love of Soy Delicious- I just finished eating some of the chocolate obsession flaovr. Mmmm...

Oh, and thanks for the advice about using molasses in lentils and soups- I think I would definitely like that!

urban vegan said...

Those chick pea patties are on my LONG lsit of things from Dreena's books that I want to make.

And I never tried Turtle Trails but will have no now.

Teresa said...

I made the chickpea patties once- but I remember not having a few of the ingredients, including fennel. I'm definitely a little fearful of fennel, but I'm not oppossed to trying it- especially if you're raving about the patties. Thanks for the inspiration.

Your quinoa lentil stew looks super good- I can never get enough quinoa and lentils, no matter how they're combined!

Glad that you found a new ice cream love- and I was shocked that it bumped cookies and cream from the #1 spot!

-Teresa

KleoPatra said...

Leslie, as always, i love coming to your blog and appreciate you making such great food and sharing it with us. (and also letting us know about stuff like the Turtle Trails!!)

I have pan fried yams/sweet potatoes w/regular potatoes on the stovetop. That is my fave way to make them. I just use a little oil so they don't burn and turn them around a few times to get all sides cooked. So good with some mellow salsa or if you like it sweet, maple syrup.

Glad to see you posting and commenting! Hope you are not freezin' yer butt off (i read a comment of yours at Kris's blog about that) and are basking in the AZ sunshine.

:o)

Jackie said...

I am certainly going to give the patties a try and thanks for the Lentil Quinoa Stew recipe as I love both lentils and quinoa.

Candi said...

I have the book, and didn't make this recipe yet!! Looks very good! Thank you for pointing it out!!

Crunchy Domestic Goddess said...

those patties look awesome. :) will have to try them out sometime. thx for sharing!

Sara said...

I LOVE turtle trails too...so delicious! Your blog is great...looking forward to reading it all.

BionicBuddha said...

The chickpea patties came look great but I agree that fennel can be anawfully overpowering spice.

Thanks for sharing....




www.bionicbuddha.com

Anonymous said...

i wish i have soy ice cream here in my town. i will absoutely love some!.
so much new recipes! thanks for share them. looks very good all your photos.

Candi said...

Hi leslie!

I was blog hopping and saw yours and started wondering how things are going with your camera?! I hope you were able to reset, or at least pick some settings that work!

I had photography class today and gave the kids so many different cameras to shoot with that my head was spinning! I can totally relate to why you feel overwhelmed with all the buttons!! Anyhow, I hope you're doing well and I'll look for you on gmail!

Unknown said...

Hi blogger!

I'm a first-time visitor to your site - after looking through the pantry last night (in Boston) I Googled "lentil quinoa recipe" and found your amazing stew. It was fantastic, and timely!

I didn't have everything on hand that you call for, so instead of carrots and celery I added about 2 cups of sliced baby bella mushrooms. Green lentils and Inca Red quinoa worked fine, and I loved the hot salsa added at the end. Substituting red wine vinegar for the cider vinegar was a mistake though, it was a little overpowering. Luckily the stew was good enough to compensate for it!

My husband and I are not vegan, but are trying to eat more vegetarian food at home. So I'll confess that plain yogurt on the stew was delicious. I'll keep reading your blog for vegan recipes - thanks for helping us eat sustainably.