You know what you need right now? A crazy versatile filling. That’s right! Not money nor true love nor eternal health. You need something that will reliably taste great when shoved into something else. Well, you are in luck, my friend. This little green wizard can do just about anything! Great in potstickers, tortellini or pierogi, I even combined my leftovers with canned diced tomatoes, chopped olives and more chickpeas for a quick and delightful pasta toss. Dare you spread it on crostini, drizzle with olive oil or sprinkle with mozzarella-style Daiya and bake it up tasty? Probably you do. I would.
This recipe makes a hella-lot (that’s a culinary term, for serious). I stuffed about 50 potstickers and still had at least 3/4 of a cup to toss with my noodles. Don’t worry! This is a good thing since you can do oh-so-much with our yummy filling and the flavour improves the longer it hangs out. In fact, you can let the leftovers party in your fridge for up to 5 days. Party.
![Spinach and Chickpea Filling]( "Spinach and Chickpea Filling")
Spinach and Chickpea Filling
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 can chickpeas or 2 cups cooked chickpeas
- 3 cups spinach, fresh
- 4 large brown or white mushrooms, chopped coarse
- 2 tsp garlic powder OR 2 cloves finely minced garlic
- 2 tbs lemon juice
- 2 tbs soy sauce or tamari
- 1/2 cup green onions*
- 1/2 cup cilantro*
- 2 tsp garam masala*
METHOD:
1. In the large bowl of your food processor, blend chickpeas, spinach, garlic, soy sauce and lemon juice together until smooth.
2. Add garam masala, mushrooms, green onions and cilantro (OR whichever flavour enhancer you’re letting into your life this fine day) and pulse until combined.
3. Fill your boots. Or your potstickers. Or your sweet, sweet, pasta. Maybe some pierogi? But, above all, your boots.
NOTES:
*you can easily manipulate the nationality of this scrumptious putter-inner by playing with herb and spice combinations. Try flat leaf Italian parsley instead of garam masala and cilantro. Perhaps you have some mojo cubano lounging in your fridge? Splash some of that right in there! Maybe Chinese 5 Spice powder and chopped water chestnuts to complement your green onions and add texture? Right? Okay! Go!
Spinach and Chickpea Pasta Toss