Last Chickpea Entry, I Swear!

I am still obsessed with all things chickpea, but I promise I will mix it up a bit for you...after I post this super easy casserole recipe from FatFree Vegan Kitchen! I now present to you...


Asparagus and Chickpea Casserole

I made this gluten-free by using chickpea flour (of course) instead of regular old wheat flour. You could also use quinoa flour, cornstarch or potato starch.


Serves: 6

1 medium onion, diced
1 rib celery, diced (I used 3)
8-10 ounces mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
12 ounces asparagus (I used 1 bunch), ends trimmed and cut into 1" pieces
1 cup, plus 2 Tbsp vegetable broth or no-chicken broth
2 Tbsp flour
3/4 cup unsweetened soy or nut milk.
Salt and freshly ground peper to taste
1-1/2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1 tsp dried basil leaves (I used Italian blend)
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (1-1/2 cups)
2-3 cups frozen, oil-free hash brown potatoes or 5-8 ounces raw potato, shredded
smoked paprika for garnish


Preheat oven to 450ยบ.  Lightly oil or spray a 2-3 quart casserole dish.

Heat a non-stick pan over med-high heat and spray a tiny bit of oil in. Add the onions and cook until they soften, about 2-3 minutes. Add celery, mushrooms and garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes, until mushrooms start to get watery. Add asparagus and 2 Tbsp vegetable broth, stir and cover pan. Let cook for another 2-3 minutes until asparagus is bright green.

Whisk the flour into cup of vegetable broth. Add that, the milk, nutritional yeast, thyme and basil. Heat until bubbly. Add chickpeas and salt and pepper to taste. Turn heat down to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour into prepared casserole dish and top with an even layer of potatoes. Sprinkle with salt (if desired) and smoked paprika.


Bake until casserole is bubbly and potatoes are browned and crispy; about 25-45minutes. If you are using frozen potatoes, you'll need to cook it longer or put it under the broiler for a few minutes at the end.



Nutritional Info (per serving):
Calories: 152, 17 from fat, 2.1g total fat, 0mg cholesterol, 166.3mg sodium, 458.1mg potassium, 26.8g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 5.2g sugar, 10.1g protein and 4 WW points.

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