Cosmic Cashew Kale with Chickpeas

cosmiccashewkale1

Sometimes I really wish I could get my husband to write my blog posts.

Honey, remember that kale and cashew dish? With the chickpea sauce? Yeah! That was SO good. What should I write about it? I need a good story. blank stare.

I think his writer’s block might be worse than mine. Do you find it hard to believe I get writer’s block? I bet you do. Because my posts are just so riveting. Humor me here.

Anyway, not only do I wish I always knew what to write, but I wish I could come with funky titles like this one: Cosmic Cashew Kale with Chickpeas. I didn’t, Susan did. Don’t you think it sounds so much better than Cashew Kale with Chickpeas? I apparently do, because as soon as I saw this dish, I knew I needed to make it. Soon. No, right away.

Fortunately it was perfect timing because I had a vegetarian house guest coming. Not that I need a vegetarian around as an excuse to cook like one. You guys know I do that all the time. But it seemed very fitting. Except that in my excitement over this dish I forgot she doesn’t like peppers. After I made it. Yet by some twist of fate, her arrival was delayed and she ended up not joining us for dinner that night anyway. See? Perfect timing.

Perfect dish, too. (For vegetarians and wannabes who eat peppers, that is.) Colorful, balanced, earthy and nutty, topped off with a dash of hot spice. Quick, and easy too! Even for all of you always whining to me (you know who you are) that my recipes are so complicated and require so many things. Especially the vegetarian ones. Here’s a little gift from me to you. Whip this together while you grill up some chicken (carnivores) or tofu (veggies or wannabes) for your protein and you’ll have a truly awesome and satisfying dinner. Actually, a cosmic one.

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Cosmic Cashew Kale and Chickpeas
Slightly adapted from Fat Free Vegan Kitchen
Printable Recipe

2oz raw cashews
1/2 cup hot water
1 cup reduced sodium vegetable broth
1 clove garlic

1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 medium bell pepper, diced
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (or one 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained)
1 bunch kale, central stems removed and leaves thinly sliced, or a 10oz package of chopped kale
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 to 4 tablespoons fresh basil, minced

Soak the cashews for an hour in the hot water (or, soak overnight in room temperature water.) Drain the cashews and place in high speed blender or food processor with the broth and garlic. Blend until completely smooth, and set aside.

Heat a large nonstick skillet or dutch oven over medium-low heat and cook the onion and pepper for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the chickpeas. Increase heat to high, and add the kale and 2-3 tablespoons of water, stirring to combine everything. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, or until kale is tender.

Stir in the reserved cashew sauce, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper. Cook, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes, until sauce thickens. Garnish with basil before serving.

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe: 3
Amount Per Serving
Calories 292.7
Total Fat 11.7 g
Saturated Fat 1.8 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.8 g
Monounsaturated Fat 5.2 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 924.2 mg
Potassium 537.1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 44.0 g
Dietary Fiber 12.8 g
Sugars 3.2 g
Protein 13.2 g

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19 Responses to “Cosmic Cashew Kale with Chickpeas”

  1. 1

    Alissa — July 14, 2011 @ 5:05 am Reply

    yum! looks very delicious – i'd be more than happy to be served this 🙂

  2. 2

    DHCooks — July 14, 2011 @ 2:26 pm Reply

    I had to laugh because I get writers block all the time and can't figure out WHAT the hell to write about my dish that I'm actually really excited about.  And why is it that when I go to use colorful adjectives to describe my dish I come off sounding like a complete retard when others do it and come off sounding like a rhodes scholar and then people like Joanne or the pioneer woman can be so witty and you just read and chuckle?  SIGH.  I come to you because you are an awesome cook and recipe writer that has such a unique flair for flavor combinations that other people just don't have and we have a lot in common and, even though we haven't officially met, I consider us friends.I am so glad you posted this because I have the first item on my list for what to cook next week!

  3. 3

    Kaytorade — July 14, 2011 @ 3:21 pm Reply

    Your guy has guest posted before, hasn't he? I feel like he has. In my house that's only happened once!

  4. 4

    Shannon — July 14, 2011 @ 3:53 pm Reply

    sounds fabulous!  definitely another one to make soon 🙂  and yeah, i haven't got a post up yet b/c i haven't had the time or the words!  hopefully it'll come soon!!

  5. 5

    Joanne — July 14, 2011 @ 6:23 pm Reply

    Believe it or not, I get writer's block daily.  I used to try to plan what I was going to write the night before…or at least have some kind of idea.  but that doesn't happen anymore.Sigh.  i think I need to eat more brain food like this.  I remember seeing this on Susan's sight and falling head over heels!

  6. 6

    Janet M — July 14, 2011 @ 9:54 pm Reply

    Sometimes Rob makes dishes that I really want him to post about… but I think eventually I will succumb and write them myself!  Food blogging is multifaceted and sometimes all i want to do is share a yummy recipe, without all that jazz of writing out a post… hence why sometimes my photos aren't the best either: I just want to eat it!I saw the recipe on Susan's blog and was drawn to it as well. Glad you enjoyed it – it will spur me to make it once kale is the veggie de jour again. 🙂

  7. 7

    Chrysta — July 14, 2011 @ 11:44 pm Reply

    ha! I wish my hubs would write some of my blog posts lately too. Ive been such a bloggin slacker! ah well…But your posts are always entertaing! I love reading them. Susan does have some great recipes..I think I could eat kale everyday and be a happy girl!

  8. 8

    Deborah Dowd — July 15, 2011 @ 1:17 am Reply

    I love love love kale and this sounds like a different way to enjoy it.  I can't wait to make this with the cashew sauce!

  9. 9

    Cara — July 15, 2011 @ 1:48 pm Reply

    Aww, thanks Dawn! Another reason we are friends: you always know how to make my day!

  10. 10

    Cara — July 15, 2011 @ 1:49 pm Reply

    I would never guess that with you 😉 In fact I was going to ask if you have any tips or ways to jog stories! Yours is one of just a few blogs where I am always thrilled to read the whole post, not just the recipe.

  11. 11

    Cara — July 15, 2011 @ 1:51 pm Reply

    I can totally relate! Sometimes I know a dish is going to be totally blog-worthy, but I just don't have the energy to go through the whole photo shoot routine. In those instances I just tell myself, "if that's good, I won't mind making it again next week (and making it look pretty!)"

  12. 12

    Junia @ Mis Pensamientos — July 15, 2011 @ 3:30 pm Reply

    i love the idea of cashew broth with the kale!!! this sounds delicious 😀

  13. 13

    motherrimmy — July 17, 2011 @ 3:47 pm Reply

    I'm always looking for kale recipes – it's such a healthy green. I know what you mean about writer's block. It can be tough coming up with new stories week after week. 🙂

  14. 14

    Melissa — July 22, 2011 @ 3:03 am Reply

    This sounds really good! I've been in a cooking slump for most of summer, this dish gives me something to look forward to making!

  15. 15

    janet @ the taste space — August 10, 2011 @ 11:59 am Reply

    I am so glad I finally made this, Cara. It was truly delicious. :)Wrote about it here: http://tastespace.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/creamy-cashew-kale-and-chickpeas/

  16. 16

    Angela — October 10, 2011 @ 1:51 am Reply

    Hey! I made this today and really liked it. I blogged about it here: http://www.vegangela.com/2011/10/10/kale-chickpeas-with-creamy-cashew-sauce/. Thanks!

  17. Pingback: Creamy Cashew Kale & Chickpeas | vegangela

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