A Break in the Baking
Man cannot live on Christmas cookies alone. No offense, Santa. We’ve certainly been trying to live on cookies around here. Dinner has pretty much just been something just to get through to get to dessert. I have absolutely no business having so many treats in my fridge right now:
Dough balls of every flavor.
Pumpkin bread pudding.
Gingerbread cookie dough waiting to have life breathed into it.
And three hidden Tupperware containers full of vanilla whiskey sauce and chocolate and vanilla vegan buttercream leftover from the photo shoot.
Why am I possibly holding onto tubs of frosting? There can be no good to come of it.
I never really was a holiday baker before, though I loved laying on my grandma’s couch with a throw watching White Christmas while the rest of my family bustled about the kitchen. When did that torch get passed?
I’d like it back please. And that’s my blanket too.
Today, I decided to take a little break from the holiday baking. The lemon bars, Chex mix and chocolate toffee can wait. (Yes, I have plans for all three. Don’t encourage me).
I went back to basics, the very first and only dish I cooked for my first two years of cooking: chicken and rice.
Pea Daddy can vouch for the fact that in the initial stages of our relationship I clung to my one-dish repertoire like…well, like white on rice. My logic was simple. Rice was cheap, especially since I bought the huge bag from Costco, reserved for Chinese restaurants. And I had a rice cooker so it’d be hard to screw it up. Chicken breasts were cheap, especially since I bought the huge bag from Costco, reserved for anyone who enjoys eating breasts that are so freakishly large they can’t be healthy for me or the chicken. No one should have breasts that big. Again, no offense, Santa. (I blame the cookies.)
We ate chicken and rice every night. Every single night. Pea Daddy’s first gift to me was a t-shirt that said, “Got Rice?” and had a picture of a rice cooker on the back. I loved it. And him. He asked me my t-shirt size last week because he wants to buy me a t-shirt that says, “I’m Kind of a Big Deal.” He thinks I’m a bigger deal than I am and as a result, I want him to buy me a t-shirt that says, “I’m With Stupid.” (If you read the comments’ section of this site, you already knew this. And you have too much free time. And I love you.)
Quite obviously we don’t eat chicken anymore. The replacement:
And I still can’t quite stomach rice (I shall now call this the “doughball effect”). The replacement:
Ashley gave me this bag when she flew out a few weeks ago. What is it about me that says “Give me grains or t-shirts with grains on them?” Just lucky, I guess.
Put ‘em together and what do you got? Bibbidy, Bobbidy…
Lemon Chickpeas and Farro
Makes four servings
- One 14.5 oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- salt and pepper
- 3 1/2 c. vegetable broth
- 1 T. lemon juice
- 1 c. farro (can use wheat berries, quinoa or yes, even rice, though you may need to adjust the liquid ratios)
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 t. cornstarch
- 1 T. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance), optional
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Drain and rinse chickpeas,
and place on a cooking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Season with salt and pepper. ( You could also make a batch of Lemon Rosemary Chickpeas, for an extra lemony punch.) Roast chickpeas for 10-12 minutes on each side, or approximately 24 minutes total.
Meanwhile, bring broth, lemon juice and farro to a boil.
Lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, add sliced carrots,
and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Remove a few spoonfuls of the lemony broth and whisk in cornstarch.
Add mixture back to the farro and stir until sauce has thickened.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. At this point you can add a pat of vegan margarine, if desired, and stir in the chickpeas. Or if you like the toasty texture of the roasted chickpeas (as I do), just serve them atop the farro.
So hearty and comforting.
But without boobs.
Come to think of it, maybe Santa’s onto something.
And cookies would be perfect for dessert.
Oooo this is most definitely bookmarked… sounds delicious! (And I am totally guilty of buying the 12 chicken breast pack from Costco O.o)
I love your boob humor. This is what I’ll be having for dinner tomorrow night. Probably with quinoa because that’s what I have in my pantry. Also, I’ve added “Mama Pea’s corneal measurements” to my prayer list this week.
I’ll take those prayers. And a cup size too please.
Love you sense of humor and wit, once again.
AND, I am SO making these– I have all those ingredients on hand! I have that 3 lb. farro bag from Costco as well, so I am so jumping into this easy, yet comforting concoction. Thanks
You’ll love it!
You might have eaten more rice than me, an Asian. You should have a t-shirt or trophy that says: “I eat more rice than an Asian.”
I don’t have farro, but I have bulgur. Those will work, right?
p.s. Did you know there is this once-popular rap called “Got Rice?” It was SO popular in 2000s, and I think that’s when the term “Azn Pryde” started.
I will now be looking up this song on You Tube.
Haha omg I remember when that song came out!
Bibbity Bobbity… Boob!
Yes, bulgur would work! And I don’t think I can pull off a shirt like that…but if I have your permission, maybe it’s okay?
“But without boobs”–hahahahaaaaa! I’m sick right now and semi-delirious and feeling sorry for myself, but your post made me smile so much, my cheeks hurt. My favorite Christmas movie has always been White Christmas. “Sisters…sisters…”. I know it by heart. My husband actually had the nerve to tell me that White Christmas has nothing to do with Christmas. Sheesh–way to ruin it for me!
I was so glad that I had two girls so finally somebody could sing “Sisters” and mean it. My brothers weren’t exactly cool with the “there could never be a mister, who comes between me and my sister” part.
I wish you lived near…we could watch it together and practice the choreography. I get to be Vera Ellen.
Not fair! My sister always made me be Rosemary Clooney. “You’ll wear the dress while I stay home.”
When is White Christmas going to be on? You’ve got me itching to watch it!
“There were never such devoted sisters…” I’m digging out my VHS and watching it tonight!
You could easily sub any other grain you have on hand!
Chopped carrot photo = lovely, as well as the rest. Great white balance! Another winner of a recipe that I know we would both love. We should probably both move in. Gigi wouldn’t mind right? I haven’t cooked farro in a week believe it or not and I miss it! I almost put it in the African soup tonight, but am so glad I added millet instead. Next time you make that soup, you must try millet! Love the chicken + rice story. I don’t think I’ll ever be tired of rice….but chicken was the first meat I cut. Did it ever really taste like anything??
Yes, move in! Pea D asked tonight if we could just hire you as our personal assistant (I swear, totally unsolicited). I will definitely be trying that soup with millet…maybe tomorrow night? And chicken only ever tasted like the sauce I put it in. I love the sauce.
I hope at least that you changed up the sauce when you cooked for Pea Daddy.
I’ll take a cup size too if you don’t mind.
Nope, it was teriyaki every night. Poor guy.
I’m being nosey and the carrot photo is stuning
Thank you! I really am working hard on this photography thing!
I love Farro, and rolling my R when I say it:) Looks delicious!!!
Ha ha ha! I’m going to start doing that now. Because ticking Pea Daddy off by bleating like a sheep and saying, “Flee-ee-eee-ce Navidad” is getting a little stale.
I so thought this was going to be a “and so we went back to eating meat for a night, because of nostalgia” post… just for a minute.
Oh no, no, no, no, no.
I’ll trade you brownies from my freezer for frosting from yours.
Deal. Although the chocolate buttercream just vanished yesterday. Strange.
This looks SO good and comforting. Bet it would be good w/ tofu too!! Can’t get over how great the photos look. Love the first few of Gigi on the couch, through the Christmas tree. She looks so cozy
Thanks, MB. Maybe in a few months, my photos will be good enough to give a little tutorial. I really have learned a lot lately.
We haven’t had a Wacky Wednesday video lately. Maybe you can make a (serious) video tutorial out of it
Okay, I really don’t want it to be serious….
I know, I know. I thought about a video soon, but not in these glasses.
I hate the expression, but you could put a paper bag over your head and still look gorgeous! Maybe I shouldn’t have said that…I could see you really doing this in the video…hence, the non-seriousness!
I’ve got something else planned for tonight…but maybe next week, minus the paper bag.
I have to ask is Farro an ancient grain? My step mom when she was visiting in the summer time was trying to remember this ancient grain that is good for you and was becoming quite popular but for the life of her she couldnt remember the name and now that i remember she never told me when she went back home, hrm ill have to get back on top of that and ask her if its not farro but I am wondering if this is it..
This looks soo good. I will have to try it. Theres this one recipes that my bf mother makes its chicken/rice veggies with cream of mushroom/celery soup all mixed up and then baked i sooooo wish i could find a way to make that dish vegan.. ugh. great my salivary glands are going just thinking about it.
I’m guessing your mom was talking about quinoa. And I actually think I prefer it to farro. It would work great in this recipe. Make it for your mama!
This looks so good. It’s going on the menu for Thursday night. Yum!
You know I think Chicken and Rice was my first attempt to cook anything substantial. I remember it coming from the back of a Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup and I also remember not cooking the rice at all. It was like eating chicken and seeds but still a valid attempt.
Something tells me you undercooked the rice.
Sometimes we all need a break from baking, then when you come back you love it even more
tubs of frosting in the fridge sounds totally acceptable and like a really good idea 
It’s a really bad idea to hang on to that frosting if you have graham crackers in your cupboard. Or spoons in your drawer. Or fingers.
Oh I hear you. My brother is obsessed with chicken and eats it pretty much every night with plain pasta. What is it with people and chicken?? Especially since chickpeas are a much tastier alternative…
I have never tried farro, but have been on the lookout for it. I had a detox dinner of skillet roasted chickpeas last night. Chickpeas are really they best bean, but ssshhh…don’t tell the other beans I said so.
I’m with you on the chickpeas. You know what bean I hate? Kidney beans. And as a vegan, I think I’m exempt from ever having to eat them, right?
Ahhh chicken and rice, that was an old standby for me too. Usually I would get fancy and add some salsa and cheese – ooh la la. I’ve never had farro, but lately I have heard a lot of buzz about it so I think I will have to pick some up and try this recipe. Chickpeas really are one of the best foods, what don’t they go with?? Ok I can think of a few things but anyway – this looks delish!
Ooh, farro with salsa and vegan cheese would also be delicious! Thanks for the idea!
That’s one delicious-looking “chicken” and rice. I like your version much better
Your post was hilarious and the comments were almost as funny! Love your blog and of course your recipes. (Though I’m not sure my stomach or thighs have forgiven you for that peanut butter dough ball recipe….)
Oh but the dough balls were so worth it. I cut mine in quarters, if that helps. Okay, it doesn’t.
Confession: My boyfriend bought HIMSELF a shirt from Abercrombie that says ” I’m kind of a big deal”….
So tell us, is he?
Well done on all your MoFo’ing. I’m so happy I found your blog.
Thanks Jeni. I wish I had been more attentive to the whole MoFo thing, but life kind of got crazy in November.
Glad you aren’t eating the unnaturally giant chicken breasts anymore! And THANK YOU for the healthy recipe for a change, I can’t take any more sweets, they all look so delicious!! And then I go and try to make them and somehow they don’t ever turn out looking quite as delicious… Savory non-baking cooking, I can do!
I’ll try to throw a few more savory dishes your way!
i love chickpeas and actually don’t like rice at all (i know, i am weird) so this recipe works for me!
I so look forward to your posts every morning. You and your Peas always make me smile
Seriously, the chicken breasts at Costco are so scary! They are enormous! I don’t think people even realize what size chicken breasts should be. My parents raise chickens (watch where you step when visiting!) and the breasts at Costco are like half the size of some of their chickens! Not normal. Not natural.
And that dish looks delicious…I love garbanzo beans and eat them straight from the can.
When I was eating those huge breasts, it never dawned on me how horrible it had to be for the chickens. Not to get all PETA on you, but their breasts are so big, they can’t even walk. They literally fall over because they are so top heavy. What a miserable way to live so we can have a big flavorless, blubbery pile of flesh on our plate. Have I said too much? Sorry.
I’ve got to find farro! They look similar in shape to oat groats – I wonder how those would work.
Have you made that parsnip bacon yet?
I would compare the farro to wheat berries. I haven’t made the parsnip bacon yet. I’ve been parsnip averse since a nasty stomach bug last year and I just can’t go there yet.
I totally think those Costco chicken breast are freakishly large and scary as well! I like you idea for dinner! I love that is is so warm and comforting for a winter dinner! Thanks for sharing and have fun with the rest of your baking! You are motivating me to get my bake on! : )
I’m thinking I’ll get back in the baking trenches today! For the children.
This looks amazing!! And I, too, am guilty of purchasing the “looks like the breast of a prehistoric bird” boneless skinless chicken breast. Bleh.
How ironic – I was just reading about farro for the first time in a baby magazine yesterday (is that weird?) Now they’ve popped up again in my life so I’m going to have to find these things. This recipe looks delicious, as do all of yours.
If you want someone to take any of those desserts off your hand you can send them my way!
Not sure how well they’ll survive in the mail across the country though..
I love all the talk of Santa and breasts, too…you always crack me up. I often sit here and think to myself, “Does she just tap out these posts and come up with all this wit off the top of her head?” Seriously – everyone on this planet needs to read your blog. It is such a great way to start the day.
Thanks, Hayley. And I swear this is just the verbal overflow from not being able to get a word in edgewise over here. And don’t tell me you’ve never noticed Santa’s man boobs. He’s sporting a C-cup at least.
I tried to sneak a peek when we were at the mall with Chloe today, but his coat and long beard were doing a good job of keeping them covered. Not sure I wanted Chloe nestled into boobs bigger than mine – at least not on a guy.
Hayley, I hate to break it to you…but that guy’s not Santa.
Oh this is definitely added to the ‘must-make’ list!
This post made me laugh! And I think I may have to live in your fridge. Or at least raid it on a regular basis!
Please come raid at will. But I’m running a little low on almond milk, so if you could leave that, that’d be great.
I saw farro at Costco yesterday, but didn’t want to risk buying it because I didn’t know any recipes besides breakfast ones. Thanks Mama Pea! You never fail to impress me
The texture is very similar to wheat berries, and you can always grind them and make a nice porridge.
This looks really good! Also, cookies should be included in every meal. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to fulfill your daily needs in the cookie food group. That’s a thing… right?
this looks so easy and perfect! i don’t have farro, but i doo have arborio rice, hmm…
love chickpeas, i have yet to roast them, so what am i waiting for? and even more important question- how are there balls still possibly in your fridge?! props to you and having control hahaha!
There is only a solitary pair of balls left. I don’t have the heart to separate them either.
and the best news about this recipe is that i have every ingredient at home as we speak…same bag of farro and all!
This sounds yummy! I will have to try it
Your break in baking coincided with my decision to make Christmas cookies this weekend! Feel free to send that frosting my way… all I need is a spoon
Oh it’ll be gone by this weekend.
Oh, yum! This is getting made (and eaten, course) for dinner SOON:). Thanks for yet another great dinner idea!
This dish sounds wonderful, I’ve never tried farro and this seems like a great way to. Thanks!
Ahh looks delcious. Going to use quinoa myself, because that’s what I have!
This sounds delicious! And I could use chicken for the husband and garbanzos for me
Hate to admit it but never even heard of Farro… but this dish lots so amazing!! Will have to try it very soon ! right after the dough balls!
Farro is a lot like wheat berries. The nutritional value is really stellar.
That looks absolutely delicious. Must try it (minus the farro, as I definitely do not have that.)
First off, I agree with Pea Daddy. You are kind of a big deal.
Secondly, I would happily take tubs of icing off your hands.
Don’t make me buy you the “I’m with ‘Incredibly Flattering’” t-shirt!
Delicious!! I haven’t tried farro but I’d love to…do you think it would taste good with quinoa as well??
Absolutely! I love quinoa.
I made my Mom visit your blog over Thanksgiving when I saw her making a bologna sandwich (ingredients: mechanically separated turkey, mechanically separated pork, etc.) She says your girls are much cuter than your photos of “meat snakes.”
This sounds like a great alternative to the red kidney beans and white rice my husband likes to make….he’s Puerto Rican so that’s what I get, I guess!
Please tell me you won’t be on a baking hiatus tooooo long… I saw this in an email from Whole Foods and thought of you and your heavenly sweet vegan treats
http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2010/11/holiday-bake-off/?utm_source=Responsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12_01_10_Specials
Oh man. That has me written all over it. Can I make a pie by Sunday?!
Never tried farro before! I’m in love with bulgur and couscous right now.
I myself have never tried farro either. But it looks like a grain I would love!
Your dish looks yummy!
That looks really good. I love chick peas. I make a dish with them…chick peas, spinach, fire roasted tomatoes and a little pesto served over fettuccine noodles. This looks like such a great way to add more of them to the menu. Thanks.
WOW…that looks so good and comforting! Better than chicken and rice for sure! But I know exactly what you mean…in college I ate enough chicken, rice and soy sauce to feed a small country.
It must just be a college girl thing. College boys are even worse. I remember canned tuna, cottage cheese and rice from a few football player friends of mine. Ew.
I know you’re super busy with your own baking projects (I made the dough balls for the second time yesterday and added butterscotch chips – incredible!) but I had a question I was hoping for some help with!
I made some muffins yesterday as well but got too creative with deviating from the recipe book (Vegan Brunch) and the muffins totally crumbled apart. They taste incredible (I added some Rice Nog so they were like eggnog muffins!) but they were really moist and a little sticky. Anyway, I put all the muffin crumbles into a casserole dish and was wondering what to do with it. I was thinking some sort of bread pudding type dish? Do you have any advice on what to do? I don’t want to waste them!
You could either crumble them into your morning oats, or just use my pumpkin bread pudding recipe from Thanksgiving (http://peasandthankyou.com/2010/11/27/just-desserts/)? Good luck!
Gigi’s facial expressions always make me laugh! Shes adorable! Hm, I think you should get: “My balls are kind of a big deal.” No? Inappropriate?
Oh yes. You have nailed it.
Love that hard-shell roasted chickpea texture, too… though I usually achieve it by leaving straight-out-of-the-can garbanzos in an uncovered bowl in my fridge overnight (TMI…). Haha about Gigi taking over your role. And is there anything organic vegetable broth CAN’T do?!
Love the simplicity of this. No farro in my cupboards, but I bet I have wheat berries. I bet it would make a great take & go meal for school lunches…too bad it’s the end of the semester. Meh, I`ll make it anyways.
ok ok already, you and ashley may as well be farro reps because there’s been a whole lotta farro lovin’ in the kitchen lately. just resisted all urges to make some (really lame) farro/Pharaoh joke. youre welcome.
I can’t wait to try this recipe!
I love your recipes, Mama Pea! Simple ingredients and delicious! My meat-eating husband even likes’em!
I made this tonight (but with brown rice…) and it was delicious! It tastes so much like a dish my mom used to make when I was little. Great comfort food
. And my husband loved it too. You’re amazing Mama Pea – can’t wait til your cookbook comes out.
Awesome, Jenna! Thanks!
I just got done making this for the second time. I didn’t have farro and was just going to do rice but the husband suggested orzo. I had some in the cupboard so I tried to make him feel special and take his advice. HOLY CROW. It’s like easy risotto. So freakin good.
Great idea to use orzo! I’m going to try it. Thank your hubby for me.
Mama Pea…Just made this for the first time. WOW! So good. So kid friendly. So easy. WOW!