Pure Thyme

For a Balanced Life

  • Home
  • Pure Me
  • Pure Recipes
  • Pure Press
  • Contact Page

Mini Quinoa-Chickpea Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Cream Sauce

February 15, 2011 By Jennifer

DSC_0073
These scrumptious little mini cakes are not only going to please your palate, but also pack a nutrient-rich power punch. I combined quinoa and chickpeas as the base of these cakes which added firmness, moisture and a great texture. Quinoa also has a creamy, nutty and somewhat crunchy texture that always makes it a great addition to this recipe. Quinoa is a complete protein that provides all nine essential amino acids and it’s a good source of manganese, magnesium, iron and cooper to name a few. It has lysine, which is essential in helping the body grow and repair tissues. It’s been shown to help ease migraine headaches, prevents clogging of the arteries, and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Then we have our garbanzo bean a.k.a. chickpeas, a yummy legume that is a valuable course of fiber and protein. Garbanzo beans contain antioxidant rich nutrients like vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene.  Garbanzo beans aid in detoxification, build immune defenses, aid in digestion and are good for the heart. Such a great addition to your diet and super yummy too.
DSC_0005
I also threw some of my favorite veggies in there; zucchini, red pepper, and celery and it’s all topped off with a heavenly cashew cream sauce that is bursting with flavor. 
This recipe has had a well-needed makeover. =) The original recipe contained diced onion and I had to remove it because it was stopping these from holding together. I also added some bread crumbs and a little more vegan mayo. Make sure when you dice your red pepper and celery, you have very fine small pieces, too chunky and it will mess with the results. I took some new pictures for you so you can see how awesome these are.
IMG_04281
4.5 from 2 reviews
Mini Quinoa-Chickpea Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Cream Sauce
 
Print
Author: Jennifer Strohmeyer - Virtually Vegan Mama
Recipe type: Appetizer
Ingredients
For the Roasted Red Pepper Sauce: makes 1 cup
  • ½ cup of raw cashews, soaked in water for 4 hours
  • 1 tsp dried dill weeds
  • 4 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1½ tsp horseradish
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ cup diced roasted red pepper
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 4 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
  • fresh black pepper to taste
  • pinch sea salt
For the Cakes: Makes 24 cakes
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 2 tbsp ground flaxseed meal plus 6 tbsp warm water, set aside for five minutes until thickened
  • 1 (15 oz) can low-sodium garbanzo Beans
  • 1 cup shredded zucchini
  • ¼ cup finely diced red bell pepper
  • ¼ cup finely diced celery
  • 1 tsp vegan worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup vegan mayo
  • ¼ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ¼ tsp mustard powder
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • fresh black pepper to taste
  • sea salt, to taste
  • fresh scallions or chives, thinly sliced for garnish
Instructions
For the roasted red pepper sauce:
  1. Drain cashews; add to a food processor or blender with remaining ingredients. Puree until creamy and smooth. Serve either chilled on top of cakes or you can warm it on the stove.
For the cakes:
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Cook quinoa according to package instructions. While quinoa is cooking, mix 2 tbsp ground flaxseed meal with 6 tbsp warm water and set aside until thickened. Drain and rinse garbanzo beans with cold water. In a large mixing bowl, add garbanzo beans and mash with potato masher until chickpeas are no longer whole and blended. Add all remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.
  3. Lightly spray a non-stick mini-muffin pan with cooking spray. Spoon batter into each muffin cup filling almost to top. Press down firmly with back of spoon and fingers. Place in oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Cool for five minutes. Run knife around edges and gently remove from pan.
  4. Place on a serving platter with some cashew sauce on top and garnish with chopped scallions or chives.
  5. These can be made a couple of hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm in 350°F oven 6 to 8 minutes.
Notes
If you do not have a mini-muffin pan, you can line a baking tray with parchment paper. Spoon mixture onto parchment paper and form them into 1½ inch cakes. Take your time with these and make sure they are firm. The batter will seem very moist, but I assure you they will cook just fine.
3.2.2208
Adapted from Epicurious 
Happy healthy eating!
xoxo, Jen

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Appetizers, Entrees Tagged With: appetizer, cashew cream sauce, chickpea cakes, quinoa, vegan appetizer

« Heart-Shaped Almond Coconut Granola Bars
The Beetalicious Smoothie Challenge »

Comments

  1. healthygirlskitchen says

    February 15, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    This is absolutely beautiful! I would love to make it and take it to a party sometime.

  2. ahealthypassion.com says

    February 20, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    this looks soo good

  3. The Lunch Lady says

    February 21, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    This looks great! I love quinoa and need some new ideas..
    Curious if this would taste okay cold. I'm looking for new recipes for lunch. I pack hubby's lunch everyday and we only eat carb and veggies at lunch. He can't always warm up food since he is on the road for meetings a lot.
    Thanks for the inspiration!

    http://www.thenewlunchlady.com

  4. Virtually Vegan Mama says

    February 27, 2011 at 8:29 am

    Lunch lady,

    I haven't had them cold, but they might taste great that way. I will be making them again. so I will try some cold!

  5. christine says

    September 12, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    these look yummy – I love chick peas and quinoa, so will try these for dinner one day:)

  6. Sue says

    January 11, 2012 at 1:38 am

    These are amazing! We are trying lots of new recipes trying to find vegan food we can love and these are at the top of the list. Mind did not look as whole as yours and were a bit crumbly, any ideas to help me with that? Can’t wait to try the black bean burgers with apple next.

    • Jennifer says

      January 11, 2012 at 9:27 am

      Hi Sue, glad you like this recipe…I haven’t made these in awhile and should try it again…you could always add more vegan mayo to the mix to give it more moisture…they’ve worked out well for me each time…you could also decrease the baking temp or time to make them less well done…that might do the trick! let me know if that works for you =)

      thanks for the comment…I appreciate it =)

      xoxo

      Jen

  7. Sherlly says

    March 6, 2012 at 5:48 pm

    Hi! I made this for lunch today with a side salad. It was super easy and delicious! Great recipe and Thanks!

  8. Nancy Susan Wacker says

    March 24, 2012 at 10:36 am

    These look fantastic. I want to make these for a party. Do you know how far ahead of time they can be made and still hold up well? Can’t wait to try.

    • Jennifer says

      March 25, 2012 at 3:12 pm

      Hi Nancy,

      I think you could make these a day ahead and reheat in the oven @400 for 5 minutes or so =) hope that helps!!

  9. donna silva says

    July 15, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    Hi Veganmama,
    I was wondering what the flaxseed meal was for. Didn’t see it in recipe. Maybe I need to fix my glasses. The recipe sounds great, and it is something I know my family will love. Thanks for sharing it with the world.
    Peace,
    Donna Silva

    • Jennifer says

      July 15, 2012 at 8:26 pm

      Hi Donna 🙂

      The flaxseed meal is listed under the chickpea cake recipe and is used as a binder so they hold together better 🙂 my family loves this recipe and I hope you do too 🙂 please let me know how it works out for you thanks so much! 🙂

      xoxo

      Jen

  10. Heather Turner says

    September 4, 2012 at 8:43 am

    Hi, I am confused how much quinoa to use… Do I cook 1 cup according to package directions OR cook it, and then measure out 1c.? I’m am going to try this for dinner and don’t want the wrong amt. Thanks!

    • Jennifer says

      September 4, 2012 at 1:10 pm

      Hi Heather =) It’s 1 cup COOKED…so cook it according to package directions and then measure out 1 cup =)

      xo

      Jen

  11. Brooke says

    October 29, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    I am planning a holiday party menu…do you think these could be made in advance and safely reheated? I would want to prepare them at least one day in advance.

    • Jennifer says

      November 28, 2012 at 10:08 am

      sorry for the delay in responding Brooke, this was in my spam folder for some reason and I missed it =( These will be fine reheated, I do it all them time, they will get crunchier the longer you cook them, so maybe reduce cooking time by a few minutes if you are going to reheat, =)

      Jen

  12. Tammy says

    June 3, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    Just wondering do you heat the sauce

    • Jennifer says

      June 3, 2013 at 9:01 pm

      Tammy,

      The cashew sauce is not heated, but I guess you could heat it if you want 🙂

      Jen

  13. Dharma Hill says

    March 22, 2017 at 3:35 am

    This dish is absolutely delicious. I baked the cakes in a regular size muffin tin with papers, and doubled the nut spread recipe with half cashew and macadamia soaked over night. Thank you so much for publishing this! My new favorite.

    • Jennifer says

      March 28, 2017 at 6:04 pm

      Awesome Dharma! So glad you liked this recipe and thanks so much for leaving feedback, much appreciated! =) xoxo

  14. Meagan, Las Vegas says

    May 8, 2017 at 12:46 am

    Just made this and they came out perfect! I followed directions precisely except forgot the bread crumbs! They still came out tasty and held their shape. Love pretty little food! Thanks!

    • Jennifer says

      June 29, 2017 at 1:42 pm

      awesome Meagan!! thanks for the feedback and I’m glad you enjoyed these, I love this recipe myself =)

  15. birthday cakes in hyderabad says

    August 9, 2018 at 11:17 am

    Great recipe Thanks for sharing such an informative article

Welcome to Pure Thyme


Hi, I'm Jennifer, Welcome to Pure Thyme! This is my recipe blog where I share my love for food that is healthy, simple and delicious. Here is where you will find inspiration to have fun, live well, and find balance in your life!

stay in touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Search Pure Thyme

Recent Posts

Homemade Cough Drops (Heart-Shaped + Honey + Chamomile + Lemon)

Holiday Essential Oil Diffuser Blends

Upton’s Naturals Jackfruit Review

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Maple Icing

Pure Voice: Melissa Costello and The Clean in 14 Detox

Homemade Shea Butter Hand Cream

Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub

Spring Onion Farro Fritters with Fresh Peas, Apsaragus, Radish & Tahini-Mint Dressing



stay in touch

Jennifer loves sharing her passion for healthy eating Learn More…

Copyright Pure Thyme, LLC© 2022

 

Loading Comments...