Author Notes
For an elegant meal that's vegan and grain-free, serve this panelle and cream with braised lentils or mung beans, sautéed green vegetables, and quick-pickled red onions (simple marinate sliced red onion in raw apple cider vinegar for at least 30 minutes).This recipe is largely based on the one I learned while working in Cafe Paradiso. I’ve modified the technique to diminish the possibility of clumping and added anti-inflammatory/anticarcinogenic ground turmeric for rich color and subtle flavor. —Marci Cornett
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Ingredients
- Chickpea Panelle
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250 grams
Chickpea Flour
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1/2 teaspoon
Ground Turmeric
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1 1/2 teaspoons
Fine Grain Sea Salt
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1 liter
Water or Vegetable Stock, divided
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Splash
Extra-Virgin Olive or Unrefined Coconut Oil, to sear
- Basil Cashew Cauliflower Cream
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1 cup
Raw Cashews, soaked at least 2 hours
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1/2 cup
Cauliflower, cut into small pieces
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1/2 cup
Water
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3 tablespoons
Lemon Juice
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1 teaspoon
Dijon Mustard
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1 teaspoon
Coconut Sugar
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large pinches
Sea Salt
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1/4 cup
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
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small bunches
Basil, stems removed
Directions
- Chickpea Panelle
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Prepare a 9” rectangular baking dish by lining it with parchment paper.
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Soak the chickpea flour, turmeric and salt in 500 mls (2 cups) water (or stock) for 30 minutes.
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Bring 500 mls water (or stock) to a boil. Whisk in soaked chickpea flour. Cook on high for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for a further 10 minutes, whisking frequently.
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Pour the mixture into prepared dish. Let it come to room temperature before storing in the fridge to chill and firm.
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After at least 2 hours of chilling, use the parchment paper to lift the panelle from the dish. Cut into cubes.
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Heat a pan over medium heat, once hot add a drizzle of oil. Place panelle in the pan without overcrowding. After a few minutes, use an angled spatula facing down to gently scrape up the panelle and flip to cook on the other side. Keep warm in a low oven while preparing the other components of the meal.
- Basil Cashew Cauliflower Cream
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Drain the cashews. Blend with the cauliflower and ½ cup water in a food processor or high-speed blender until smooth.
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Add remaining ingredients, except for oil, and continue blending, scraping down sides of machine from time to time.
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With the machine running, slowly drizzle in oil. Then purée in the basil. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
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This recipe will firm up in the fridge. If you want a sauce that’s easier to drizzle on the plate, simply whisk in a small amount of water before serving.
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