Monday, June 18, 2007

Spinach, Crunchy Chickpea & Hazelnut Ragout


Why why why did I choose to make this recipe? I don't usually like chickpeas (though I'm trying), hazelnuts are definitely not a favourite nut of mine, wilted spinach bothers me, raisins only belong in raisin bread (though I am accepting them into other places more often now) and cooked tomatoes are unappealing (yes they have more of the antioxidant lycopene than raw tomatoes but cooked tomatoes are all mushy). The one good thing was the idea of baking chickpeas until they're crispy - however here they just become mushy again when added to the ragout. Oh and I also got to experience the joy of roasting hazelnuts and then rubbing them like crazy to try and get the skins off - I was surprised at how much effort and time it took. But then I think there were some very toasty ones that I kept trying and trying to rub the skin off of (though it was already off).

Sometimes I choose to make recipes with ingredients that I don't like. I have no idea why I do this. Maybe because I'm flipping through a cookbook, looking for a recipe, and it just sounds intriguing and hey you never know, it could turn out to be something delicious that you never expected (characteristic of recipes in the Rebar cookbook). I guess there were just too many ingredients here that I don't like - I couldn't even finish the portion I had dished out for myself. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with this recipe, if you like these ingredients, but I never ever want to eat this meal again. If somebody really wants the recipe, I'll post it, but I don't see the point. The recipe is from Entertaining for a Veggie Planet (Didi Emmons). And I'm not saying that this is a bad cookbook, because I have found other recipes in it that I like (sweet potato badi, sesame tofu). I just also found a recipe I really didn't like... so much for being adventurous!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I remember you telling me about this- I think it might be something I'd like, although I'd probably modify it by taking out the raisins... The rest of it doesn't sound too bad, but then chickpeas are a favourite of mine, and I like tomatoes done most ways. Did you serve it on brown rice? Brown rice (and oatmeal) are things that I've been trying to eat more of, because I'm like, "Hey, it's good for you!" but I'm not enamored of it just yet. Well, I'm having more luck with the oatmeal, but not really sure what to do with the brown rice, especially since it takes so long to cook.

eatme_delicious said...

Yea I'm sure you would've enjoyed this a LOT more than I did. The raisins were definitely not the downfall of the dish. And yes I served it on brown rice. What do you mean you're not sure what to do with the brown rice? You can do the exact same things you can with white rice. In the back of my mind I keep on thinking that I should eat oatmeal too but then the cereal I eat seems pretty good.

Anonymous said...

maybe you're trying to challenge yourself? I've been doing this a lot too, trying to go against the grain of what I usually like, and I can't say it's always been a win-win situation either. ;p

Linda said...

this looks delicious! i adore chickpeas, especially when combined with indian flavors!

eatme_delicious said...

celine: Yea I think that's probably it, that I'm trying to get myself to try different things, things I wouldn't usually like. In the hopes of liking all food and having more variety or something?

linda: Let me know if you want the recipe. :)

Anonymous said...

Could you please post this recipe? I have leukemia, I love all the ingredients you talked about in this dish, and this dish woul be great for my cancer diet. I'm tagging your site on my del.icio.us list (sjmartindale), and will be back. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the recipe! My friends are having a potluck benefit for me, and I'll see if my husband will cook this to bring to the event. It sounds like a great combination of sweet and salty - can't wait to try it out.

eatme_delicious said...

Jill: No problem. Hope you like it! :)