Sesame Seeds

Easy Vegan Falafel

Ingredients

• 1 15-ounce (425 g) can chickpeas, rinsed, drained and patted dry
• 1/3 cup (15 g) chopped fresh parsley (or sub cilantro)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, minced (~ 3/4 cup, 65 g | or sub white onion)
• 2 Tbsp (17 g) raw sesame seeds (or sub finely chopped nuts, such as pecans)
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin, plus more to taste
• 1/4 tsp each sea salt and black pepper, plus more to taste
• OPTIONAL: Healthy pinch each cardamom and coriander
• 3-4 Tbsp (24-31 g) all purpose flour (or sub oat flour or gluten free blend with varied results)
• 3-4 Tbsp (45 – 60 ml) grape seed oil for cooking (or sub any neutral oil with a high smoke point)

Instructions

1. Add chickpeas, parsley, shallot, garlic, sesame seeds, cumin, salt, pepper (and coriander and cardamom if using) to a food processor or blender and mix/pulse to combine, scraping down sides as needed until thoroughly combined. You’re looking for a crumbly dough, not a paste (see photo).
2. Add flour 1 Tbsp at a time and pulse/mix to combine until no longer wet and you can mold the dough into a ball without it sticking to your hands – I used 4 Tbsp.
3. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. I added a bit more salt, pepper, and a dash of cardamom and coriander. You want the flavor to be pretty bold, so don’t be shy.
4. Transfer to a mixing bowl, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to firm up. If you’re in a hurry you can skip this step but they will be a little more fragile when cooking.
5. Once chilled, scoop out rounded Tablespoon amounts (~30 g in weight ) and gently form into 11-12 small discs.
6. OPTIONAL: Sprinkle on panko bread crumbs and gently press to adhere – flip and repeat. This will produce a crispier crust but is optional.
7. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add enough oil to generously coat the pan – about 2 Tbsp. Swirl to coat.
8. Once the oil is hot, add only as many falafel as will fit very comfortably in the pan at a time – about 5.
9. Cook for a total of 4-5 minutes, flipping when the underside is deep golden brown. Repeat until all falafel are browned – the deeper golden brown they are, the crispier they’ll be. They will also firm up more once slightly cooled.
10. Serve warm with garlic-dill sauce or hummus, inside a pita with desired toppings or atop a bed of greens.
11. Best when fresh, though leftovers will keep in the refrigerator covered for several days. Freeze after that to keep fresh for up to 1 month.

Apricot bars

SESAME CASHEW CRUST

• 2 cups raw cashews
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Pulse cashews and sesame seeds in food processor; add coconut oil and blend until dough forms. Line 9X9 square baking dish with parchment, spread crust in even layer.

APRICOT FILLING

• 6 oz (1 bag) dried apricots
• 1/3 block tempeh
• 1 tablespoon agave

Pulse apricots and tempeh, add agave. Spread filling in even layer atop crust.
Refrigerate 1 hour before cutting in squares. Makes 9-16 squares, depending on serving size.

Recipe source: www.spabettie.com

Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

Salad:

• 16oz baby spinach
• 1 cup almonds , toasted
• 1 cup dried cranberries Sesame Seed Dressing:
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 Tbsp white sugar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp finely minced shallot
• 2 Tbsp sesame seeds , toasted
• 1 Tbsp poppy seeds (optional)

Instructions:

For the dressing:

1. In a bowl or jar whisk together white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in olive oil, honey, shallot, sesame seeds (your sesame seeds should look more golden than mine – I didn’t toast mine long enough) and optional poppy seeds until mixture is well blended. For the salad:
2. Add spinach, almonds and cranberries to a salad bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss. Serve immediately after adding dressing.

Recipe source: adapted from Allrecipes

Buckwheat Noodles With Broccoli And Soy Sauce, Ginger And Chilli Dressing

Ingredients:

• 250 g buckwheat soba noodles
• 300 g purple sprouting or regular broccoli, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• salt

For the dressing:

• 5 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 red chilli, de-seeded and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh root ginger
• juice of lime

Method:

1. Cook the noodles in a pan of boiling water for 5 minutes or until al dente. Soba noodles cook very quickly so check them regularly. Drain the noodles, rinse under cold water and leave in the colander until ready to dress.
2. Blanch the broccoli in a separate pan of salted boiling water until al dente, about 1 minute. Drain and immediately immerse in iced water. Drain again and dry on kitchen paper.
3. Meanwhile, make the soy, ginger and chilli dressing. Put all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix together. Alternatively, you can blend them in a food processor. Set aside.
4. Place the noodles and broccoli in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over and mix well. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top and serve.

Enjoy!

Broccoli and Mushroom Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 cups broccoli, cut into small florets
• 1 red onion, chopped small
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 teaspoons smoked paprika (optional)
• 3 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
• 1/2 cup carrot, shredded
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Directions:
In a large skillet on high heat, add the olive oil, broccoli, onion, garlic, mushrooms, smoked paprika and ginger. Cook, stirring often until broccoli is soft and onions are translucent.
Stir in the carrot, cashews and soy sauce. Stir well and simmer for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve alone or on top of quinoa or brown rice.

Enjoy!!!

Cauliflower Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• 1/2 head cauliflower cut in bite-sized pieces
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp red pepper
• black pepper to taste
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 red onion sliced
• 2 tbsp cream cheese
• 1 tbsp brown flax seeds
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• salt to taste
• 2 large tortillas
• 1/4 cup parsley chopped (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.
2. In a large bowl combine cauliflower, olive oil, garlic powder, red pepper, black pepper and tomato sauce. Stir to combine. Spread evenly on baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway. Increase heat to broil and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until cauliflower begins to brown. Remove from the oven.
3. Spread desired amount of cream cheese on half of a tortilla. Top the flax and sesame seeds, red onion slices, cauliflower, and parsley. Close the tortilla and fry on the grill, 2-3 minutes per side.

Enjoy!