Description
A delicious and easy vegan recipe featuring chickpeas coated in a sticky, flavorful sesame sauce. Perfect for a wholesome dinner served over rice or quinoa with your choice of vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 2 cups cooked chickpeas (or one 15 oz can, drained and rinsed)
Toppings and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving
- Cooked rice or quinoa
- Steamed or roasted vegetables
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Sauté Onion: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they become translucent and soft.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce (or tamari), maple syrup, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil, stirring well to blend all flavors.
- Add Sauce to Skillet: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir well to coat the aromatics evenly with the sauce.
- Thicken Sauce: Dissolve the cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water and add this slurry into the skillet. Stir continuously to allow the sauce to thicken and become glossy.
- Add Chickpeas: Add the cooked chickpeas to the skillet, stirring to ensure they are fully coated in the sticky sesame sauce.
- Simmer: Let the chickpeas simmer in the sauce for 5-7 minutes until they are heated through and the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Add Garnish and Season: Sprinkle the sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the chickpeas. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper according to taste.
- Serve: Serve the vegan sticky sesame chickpeas over cooked rice or quinoa alongside steamed or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can use canned or freshly cooked chickpeas depending on your preference.
- To make the recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup to your liking.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- The sauce thickens quickly after adding the cornstarch slurry; stir continuously to prevent lumps.
- This recipe pairs well with a variety of vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan, Asian-inspired
Keywords: vegan chickpeas, sticky sesame chickpeas, sesame sauce, plant-based protein, easy vegan dinner, gluten-free option, healthy vegan recipe
