This & That

My Favourite Things

Best described as “nature’s chocolate”, cacao nibs have worked their way into our family as one of our GO TO ingredients. The less processed, more nutrient dense version of cocoa powder, cacao nibs are incredibly versatile. From trail mixes, to chocolate chip “nice” cream and baked goods, cacao nibs are the perfect ingredient to add chocolate flavour to a recipe without added sugar (not to mention its texture adds a delectable crunch!) Think of it as chocolate without the guilt! If a recipe doesn’t call for cacao nibs (which most don’t) get creative and substitute the cocoa powder, dark chocolate and/or chocolate chips for cacao nibs and see what works for you. 

Inspired to get your nib on? Try our Vanilla Bean Cake with Dark Chocolate Frosting!

Quote of the Week

“The time has come for the plant-based food industry to build upon its collective voice within Canada. In the next five to 10 years, we are going to see rapid growth in the interest and consumption of plant-based foods. It’s happening already. As industry continues to move into the mainstream, it’s critical that it has a voice to accurately represent it and help shape the direction it takes for the benefit of all Canadians.”
― Beena Goldenberg, CEO Hain Celestial

For the original article discussing the launch of new industry lobby group Plant-Based Foods of Canada click here

Feature Recipe | Crispy Chickpea Loaf

  
Whether these lovely legumes are milled into flour, mashed into a spread or eaten in a simple salad topped with cherry tomatoes, chickpeas are a powerhouse ingredient in my books. Their creamy texture and their mild (albeit slightly nutty) flavour makes them a versatile, dreamy staple in my test kitchen. Homestyle loaf is one of those classic comfort foods I just can’t get enough of during the Fall/Winter season so I wanted to develop a chickpea-based loaf recipe packed with flavour with that just-right degree of moistness (after all, there’s nothing worse than dried-out loaf!)

This Crispy Chickpea Loaf is everything I wanted it to be: savoury, hearty and moist (extra points!) Vital wheat gluten – a super-powered ingredient augments the elasticity of baked goods – is a gem ingredient in this recipe. When combined with the creamy chickpeas and umami-flavoured white miso paste it adds a spongy-like quality to the loaf that keeps it moist.  The crispy panko topping is a MUST on this loaf – you won’t be disappointed. Oh, and I should also mention this recipe is kid approved….my kids devoured it!

If you have leftovers this loaf would make a great sandwich filling…add a slab to a fresh Kaiser (with vegan mayo of course) and you’ve got a delicious crispy baked chick’n fillet-style sandwich!

Feeling the love for chickpeas? Here’s a few of our favourite recipes in which chickpeas take center stage:  

Eggless Chickpea Frittata
Glazed Chickpea & Sorghum Grain Loaf
Curried Chickpea, Potato & Rice Burrito

Enjoy~

Ingredients

Loaf
2 Tbsp olive oil 
1 small onion, finely chopped
Pinch of sage
Pinch of Himalayan pink salt

2 cups cooked chickpeas, mashed 
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/3 cup vegetable broth or ½ tsp vegetable bouillon powder dissolved in 1/3 cup water 
2 Tbsp white miso paste
1/2 cup vital wheat gluten 
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
½ tsp Himalayan pink salt 

Topping
2 Tbsp olive oil 
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Instructions

Prep It 

1/Heat glug of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, dried sage and a pinch of salt. Sauté until onions are translucent and start to turn golden brown. 
2/Transfer sautéed mixture to a large prep bowl. Add mashed chickpeas, olive oil, vegetable broth, white miso paste, vital wheat gluten, panko and salt.  Combine well.; set aside. 
3/Prepare topping: In a small prep bowl combine olive oil, panko breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt until the mixture has a coarse/crumbly texture. 
4/Press chickpea mixture in a loaf pan until the surface is smooth. Spoon prepared panko topping over mixture. 

Cook It

Bake at 400F for 30 minutes (no need to tent the loaf pan) or until the edges are golden brown.

Serve It

Slice the crispy chickpea loaf into slabs. Pair with a side of roasted vegetables and crusty bread for a deliciously simple meal!