Throwback Chickpea "Tuna" Salad

"Kids should be seen and not heard."

We are all familiar with that old saying, right? Well, this recipe is kind of like that except for it should be eaten and not seen. Hey, not all of us can be beauty queens.

Nope, this recipe certainly isn't very photogenic but I promise you it's very tasty.

I adapted this recipe from a very foggy memory of my mother's classic tuna salad sandwich she made me for many weekend lunches when I was a little one. I'm not sure if I nailed it but I am pretty proud of the flavor combination. It's got something for everyone: sweet, tart and savory.

I kept the dressing pretty simple, making sure to give it a nice balance of creamy and sweet and then mixed in some delicious chickpeas, sweet apple and carrots and a little bit of pickle for a special surprise. If the pickles scare you, I totally understand - omit that stuff or add them on later while assembling your sandwich or wrap.

And now on to the recipe!

Dressing:
1/3 cup vegan mayo
1 tablespoon white miso
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tsp agave or maple syrup
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder with parsley (or 1/8 teaspoon each)
Pepper to taste


"Tuna" Mix
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 small apple (a little over 1/2 cup), diced
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
2 1/2 tablespoons walnuts, finely chopped
Optional: 1/4 cup sweet or dill pickles, finely chopped

For the dressing: In a small bowl, mix all ingredients together until combined.

In a large bowl, add rinsed chickpeas and dressing. Mix together with a fork, smashing about half of the  chickpeas until mixture is a chunky consistency. Add apple, walnuts, carrot and pickles and mix until everything is coated with the dressing. Spread on whole grain bread or a tortilla wrap and top with greens.

Bonus tip: Let salad chill in the fridge for at least an hour before eating - this gives the flavors time to marinate together and the result is extra delicious.



Since becoming vegan or vegetarian, are there any recipes you have recreated from childhood? Did you nail it or was it a big ol' disaster? I've had my fair share of both.

PB & Jammed Bites

I had a hankering for something sweet the other day. Because the boyfriend and I are trying to save a little money here and there, I dug around my kitchen for inspiration and threw these treats together in a pinch.

It turns out they hit the spot perfectly. You really can't go wrong with classic pb & j.

With or without the crust cut off, totally up to you. In this case, that means roll them in oats or don't - they taste delicious either way.

PB&Jammed Bites

Ingredients:
1/2 cup peanuts, raw and unsalted
1/2 cup medjool dates, pitted
1/4 cup dried berries (I used a cherry/blueberry mixture)
1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter
1 tablespoon of your favorite jam or jelly (you can sub fresh strawberries as well)
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
*3 tbsp rolled oats

Except for the oats, add all of the ingredients to a food processor and mix until batter forms a sticky consistency.
Roll into balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
*Optional: roll balls in old fashioned oats

Makes about 14 servings

Consider yourself jammed. Parks & Rec, anybody? Anyone? Alright then.

Very Cherry Berry Chocolate Baked Oatmeal

Thanks to a few dreary mornings here in the Pacific Northwest, I've been craving that classic, old school breakfast that fills you up and reminds you of warm and fuzzy childhood memories.

Why is oatmeal so all-encompassing like that?

I spent many childhood mornings, oatmeal in hand while Bobby's World played on the tv. It was the best. But back then, oatmeal had just two ingredients: brown sugar and maple syrup. Oh, and buttered toast on the side. Easy peasy.

I like to think I've gotten a little more creative since then, while still sticking with simple and wholesome ingredients.

This recipe is so easy and delicious, I just had to share.

Very Cherry Berry Chocolate Baked Oatmeal
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 ripe banana
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2-1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup & 1 tbsp almond milk (or other non-dairy milk. Creamer or coconut milk would make this even more decadent)
1 Tbsp cacao or cocoa powder
1/2 tbsp cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips
Optional: 2 tbsp chopped berries

Preheat oven to 350

Lightly oil a ramekin dish or another single-serving baking pan (I used a round 6-inch ramekin) In a medium bowl, mix ingredients until just combined. Pour mixture evenly into dish. Cook for about 20 minutes.

1/4 cup chopped strawberries
1/4 cup chopped frozen cherries
1-2 tsp liquid sweetener (I used monk fruit)
1 tbsp water

In a small saucepan, add strawberries, frozen cherries, sweetener and water together. Heat until cherries and berries start to soften and frozen cherries start to melt, about 5-7 minutes. Once they've combined into a sauce, spoon topping onto your baked oatmeal.

Serves 1

Sometimes the simplest breakfasts are also the absolute best.