3 Quick + Simple Vegetarian Bean Recipes- General Tso's Chickpeas

This post was sponsored by S&W Beans as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

When I was young it seemed some of the most exciting highlights of my day revolved around food.

What kind of snack would I eat after school? What treat had my mother hidden in my lunch box? When was the next family Taco Tuesday night?

As a child I had my mother there to make sure I ate 3 solid meals a day, with healthy snack in between. As an adult I fail miserably as ensuring I eat even 1 solid meal a day, at times. It's not that I've fallen out of love with food- it's that I am now the sole individual responsible for ensuring said food is not only consumed, but planned for, prepared, and cleaned up after. Being a personal chef for one's self, let alone one's family can feel like a full time job.

Truth be told, during the weekdays when I'm home alone working I can all too easily skip breakfast, and even lunch because I simply don't feel I have time to make something healthy and delicious.

When a close family friend became Vegan a little over a year ago I began exploring Vegetarian and Vegan recipes that could accommodate him while he was a guest at our home.

It turned out that many popular, and delicious, recipes in these categories were quick simple and quick to make- requiring little to no heat reliant cooking or temperature based protein monitoring. They also typically featured fresh ingredients paired with pantry staples many already keep stocked in their homes. One protein source, in particular, made dabbling in these food categories easiest for me; canned beans. S&W Beans, to be specific.

From White Cannellini and Garbanzo to 50% Reduced Sodium Kidney Beans and new Organic S&W Black Beans- there's truly an inspiration for every dish among the brand's range. And beyond variety S&W Beans has the highest quality standards in the industry with over 120 years of premium quality. The "whole bean" visual appearance of quality S&W Beans products also means my guests, and Instagram followers, can eat with their eyes thanks to beautiful beans that pour from the can every time. You can discover a variety of amazing recipes for all of their canned options on the S&W Brand Recipe Page, and download money saving coupons for a limited time.

The Garbanzo Bean, of "Chickpea" as it is affectionately known by many is rich in antioxidants, fiber, protein, and iron, and also has a great 'sturdy' texture that holds up beautifully as an animal based protein substitute. Even better, when I reach for a can of S&W Garbanzo Beans I know I can bypass the time consuming process of slow cooking these beans to perfection- as they are ready to eat right out of the can. Simply drain and rinse!

I'm so confident, as an omnivore, that S&W Garbanzo Beans make a perfect, delicious, vegetarian solution I'm going to share with you 3 of my favorite recipes. An entree, a hearty salad, and for versatility a munch-worthy snack. You can prepare all 3 at the same time, with 3 cans of your favorite S&W Garbanzo Bean variety- or sneak them in on a busy afternoon or weeknight. While you can't go wrong with any option, I often rely on the Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans for a rich flavor in salads and cold dishes, where as I will typically use 50% Less Sodium S&W Garbanzo Beans for recipes with rich sauces, or glazes.

My first must-try recipe is a Vegetarian General Tso's Chickpea dish that requires no bed of rice, thanks to the hearty stir fry of vegetables and protein rich S&W Garbanzo Beans. The sauce alone is worth doubling and keeping on hand, but I find the texture of the chickpeas allows me to enjoy a guilt-free entree in a rich health-minded sauce.

Whenever I crack open a can of S&W Garbanzo Beans I always open an extra can and pre-heat my oven to make a batch of Honey Roasted Chickpeas. In the 45 minutes it takes to roast a pan of chickpeas I can work my kitchen and rock my General Tso's recipe.

Always start by preparing your canned chickpeas. S&W Garbanzo Beans are already cooked, so all you have to do is open the can, pour them into a colander, rinse, and drain. In minutes you'll have a beautiful batch of prepared chickpeas ready for whatever culinary adventure you have planned.

To bake S&W Garbanzo Beans pat them dry with two layers of paper towels- for sauce and cold based recipes a simple rinse and shake in a colander will do nicely.

Next, you'll want to prepare your sauce-

Trust me when I say, double the sauce recipe and put half aside for another time. You're going to want to whip this recipe up again, soon, and the sauce is half the prep time. This General Tsao's sauce recipe also goes delicious on a variety of proteins, if you're looking to vary your dish a little.

Prepare your stir-fry vegetables, and set aside.

 Right about now my oven timer is usually going off, and my roasted S&W Garbanzo Beans are about ready to come out of the oven for the first time. I'll quickly combine some honey and oil, and toss the hot beans directly in the 'glaze' mixture before spreading them back out on the parchment lined baking sheet and returning them to the oven for 7-10 minutes. For Vegans, I have found that Agave will make a suitable substitute for honey, but you may wish to forego the salt season at the very end, as the Agave has a bit more of a sweet flavor.

How long you roast your Garbanzo Beans on the second wave is really up to you, ans how caramelized you prefer them. I find 8 minutes is usually the sweet spot, but you will get more of a crisp and bitterness if you go towards 10. Place the finished baking sheet on the counter and allow to cool before testing.

These Honey Roasted Chickpeas not only make a delicious snack by themselves, but also a wonderful topping for salads and other dishes. The element of texture and playful sweet 'candied' shell makes this one deceptively healthy recipe.

Honey Roasted Chickpeas

****Click here for printable Honey Roasted Chickpeas recipe.

Ingredients:

1 15oz Can Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans, Rinsed + Drained

2 TBS Honey

1/2 TBS Vegetable (Or Sunflower Seed) Oil

Ground Sea Salt, To Taste

Directions:

Preheat Oven to 375F

1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Put rinsed garbanzo beans on a double-layer of paper towels and gently pat dry.

3. Place garbanzo beans in a single layer on parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, or until crunchy.

4. While beans bake combine Honey and Oil in a large bowl. Add hot baked Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans, and toss to coat. Return coated beans back to parchment lined baking sheet and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes to caramelize. 

5. Remove from oven and sprinkle with Sea Salt, as desired. Allow to cool and store in an air tight container.

Because this General Tso's recipe is vegetarian you can eliminate tedious cooking times and essentially prepare the entire dish in one wok, over the course of about 7 minutes. How long you wish to fry the vegetables is ultimately up to you, but do keep in mind that the General Tsao's sauce if very tick and sticky, and should be added only at the end of your cooking process to warm and coat all ingredients evenly.

I simply cannot say enough great things about General Tso's Chickpeas with Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans- this is definitely a dish you can eat with all of your senses. From the aromatic and rich red sauce to the beautifully plump and satisfying whole Garbanzo beans, this is a weekday lunch I never feel guilty about. I can prepare this entire dish in less than 30 minutes, prep and clean-up included, and often have a serving left over for the next day. No more excuses- no more skipped lunches!

Of course if you're cooking for a crew that hasn't quite embraced the Vegetarian concept, this General Tso's Chickpea recipe makes a fabulous starter to any Asian-inspired main entree. Customize the included stir-fry ingredients to tailor to fit your audience's preferences and really wow the crowd by adding a pair of chop-sticks. After all, everyone knows just about anything tastes better when eaten with chopsticks. (Maybe it's all the work you have to do to get the food actually in your mouth that makes each bite so satisfying?)

For days when a stove isn't an option- or I simply want a nice clean, fresh taste for a grab-and-go lunch a Citrus, Avocado, Feta Salad with a fiber-rich S&W Garbanzo Beans base is the perfect solution. All of the ingredients for this salad can be easily prepared the night before and stored in a container in the fridge. The fresh lime juice will help keep the avocado fresh and green and appealing! For that perfect bite-ratio I also like to cube my avocado in generously sized pieces about twice the size of a garbanzo bean. Varied shapes, sizes, and textures make any salad a hit- which is also why I always top this delicious dish with some of my Honey Roasted Chickpeas from above!

Citrus, Avocado, Feta Salad

****Click here for printable recipe.

Ingredients:

 1 15oz Can of Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans, Drained + Rinsed

2 Avocados, Pitted + Cubed

1/3 Cup Freshly Minced Cilantro

2 TBS Chopped Green Onion

1/2 C Feta Cheese Crumbles

1 Lime

1/4 C Honey Roasted Chickpeas

Salt + Pepper ToTaste

Directions:

1. Combine Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans, Cubed Avocado, Cilantro, Green Onion, Feta Cheese, and Lime (Juiced) in a medium bowl. Toss to combine and season with salt/pepper to taste. Garnish with Honey Roasted Chickpeas (Recipe Here).

So there you have it, 3 of my favorite quick, delicious, vegetarian recipes, all featuring one star ingredient that's easy to keep on hand- S&W Garbanzo Beans. Not only are these recipes health-minded and easy to prepare, they're also very affordable! Find S&W Beans at a store near you, and discover more delicious ways to incorporate vegetarian fiber rich bean varieties into your meal-plan when you visit their recipe page and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Remember, you can also download money saving coupons for a limited time here!

10 Day Pet Detox Quick-Start Guide + Supreme Source® Pet Food Deal

This post was sponsored by Supreme Source® as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central and all
opinions expressed in my post are my own. Please Note: Nothing contained below should be taken as 
professional veterinarian or medical advice. Please always consult your pet's veterinarian before making 
changes to your pet's diet or routine.

As much as every new year is marked by resolutions, and the promise of a fresh start, the spring season is 
associated with clearing out cobwebs, both in the physical and spiritual attic.

Winter is such a cozy season that it can be easy to find one's self settling into simpler routines and cutting 
corners for the sake of ease and comfort. By the time the sun starts thawing the ground, and the flowers 
start blooming we're often inspired to refresh our outlook but a bit overwhelmed at where to start.

A great detox can be the perfect way to quickly reset one's system, flushing it of some unnecessary 
build-up, and jump starting it with some high power targeted fuel.

A great detox is not just one that impacts one's lifestyle on an internal note, but also a physical and 
emotional one as well. It's much more than changing your diet for a period of time. And most successful 
detoxes will have the support of a close ally such as family and friends. 

Of course 'they' say "What's good for the goose is good for the gander," and this certainly applies to your 
furriest family members, too. 

Around here some of us have really dug into those lazy Winter habits- Gidget hardly gets up to turn 45 
degrees and plop back down in her plush pup rug, while Nora has been enjoying some post holiday spoiling 
just a little too much around the mid-section.

A pet detox can be a great way to not only take a moment to consider your pet's diet, but also get back on 

track with physical activity and emotional bonding.  When I read about Supreme Source® pet food's 10-Day 

Pet Detox program, and how I could take advantage of a free bag (up to $9.99 retail, while supplies last) when 

I sign up to make the switch at SuperFoodSwitch.com I was excited to have a little extra motivation and support 

along the way. This March and April, you can sign up to receive daily emails during the ten days with 

instructions and tips.

Supreme Source® pet food is a premium grain-free, superfood diet that's packed with healthy enzymes and prebiotics to cleanse and rejuvenate our best buddies, inside and out. It comes in delicious varieties for both cats and dogs, including Supreme Source Grain Free Pork, Peas & Wild Boar Dry Dog Food and Supreme Source Whitefish Meal & Salmon Meal Dry Cat Food and is always entirely grain free with no artificial flavors or colors. I particularly love that I can read and understand each and every ingredient on the nutritional information label!

Before I continue I do want to note that you should always consult your pet's veterinarian before making any major dietary changes, including a pet detox style program, or new food. While there are many benefits of protein focused, grain free, diets every animal's unique dietary needs vary.

To start your pet on their Spring detox with Supreme Source® be sure to print out your coupon for a free bag 
(up to $9.99, while supplies last) and bring it to your local Supreme Source® retailer. We purchased our bag of 
Supreme Source® Lamb Meal and Potato Dry Dog Food at our local VONS. Once you've downloaded your 
Supreme Source® coupon and redeemed it in store you'll begin receiving daily prompts to help your pet 
through their 10-Day Detox; which is essentially generally sound advice to integrate the new food into your 
pet's diet over time, and fun activities to help your pet adjust to the switch and engage with you more.

Before I left VONS I was sure to grab a few extra treats for our dogs, such as some new chew toys to help 
engage their minds, and pass the time; as well as bottled water to stock the car, and a brand new pet brush.

Of course you should never shock your pet's routine with sudden changes to diet or activity, so the Supreme 
Source® 10-Day Pet Detox is styled to gradually get your pet back on track while introducing a new food over 
time. Much like we will begin introducing our Supreme Source® pet food into our pet's daily portions of their 
'usual' dry food, we will also begin adding a little extra physical activity every day.

No moderation is needed with extra hugs, cuddles, and slurps though, so feel free to portion though out 
generously and often!

Like every program or goal in life having a support system is essential to making it a success, the 
free Supreme Source® 10-Day Detox guide will help get you and your pet off on the right paw, but 
you're the real superstar in making this Spring refresh a success.  It's often not had to get even a picky 
dog to warm up to delicious premium ingredients such as lamb meal, potatoes, or pork and peas- but 
Supreme Source® is packed with healthy enzymes and probiotics your pet's sure to begin feeling just 
as much as tasting!

Take advantage of your pet's internal refreshing with a direct plan to engage both their minds and 
bodies more during this 10-day process. When out on walks take the longer route home, plan trips to 
the local dog park to interact with other dogs, and encourage guests to treat and engage your dog with 
their new Supreme Source® food as a special treat.

Over the next 10 days we'll be taking part in the Supreme Source® 10 Day Detox*** as we introduce both Nora 
and Gidget to their new Supreme Source® grain free pet food. I'm especially excited to notice any potential 
changes to energy and behavior, and see how they enjoy the flavors of their Supreme Source® Lamb Meal 
and Potato recipe. We've already begun to break through the cobwebs of Winter habits by taking early afternoon 
walks (before the sun falls with the evening temperatures) and we've been restocking those chew toys with 
healthy snacks and treats to keep their minds active during dull periods.

I'll have to admit, we're really just getting started here- Gidget still insisted on stopping and stomping her paws 
when the snack cart rolled up to us the other afternoon!

***While this is a “Pet Detox” Promotion, products and information provided by American Pet Nutrition are not 
intended to substitute for medical advice or treatment. It is always recommended that you consult your 
veterinarian or a qualified medical professional for your pets. The information and products are not intended to 
diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical problems.

What's that Momma always told me?

I think it was "Nothing worth while comes easy."

Refreshing a pup's mind, body, and stomach is definitely a task in itself, but a 10-Day program certainly helps 
along the way. We're excited to document and share our progress with the Supreme Source® 10-Day Detox 
for pets, and hope you'll follow along with us and pick up your very own free bag of Supreme Source® 
($9.99 value, while supplies last) and 10-Day Detox guide too. For more great tips on refreshing your 
pet's mind and bowl follow Supreme Source® on Facebook,  Twitter, and Instagram.

Easy Asian Inspired Meal Solutions + Miyabi Japanese Onion Soup Recipe

This post was sponsored by Ling Ling, all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

I could never be a TV Dinner person-

I get bored with the 'same ol', same ol'' quite quickly, and I require a constant varying of textures, flavor profiles, and ingredients to keep me interested. If I had my druthers I'd be dining out every night, eating my way through every restaurant from the local hole-in-the wall gems to the fine dining restaurants on Main St.

But let's be real- I simply don't have the time or money for that. Instead I am constantly looking for innovative meal solutions I can incorporate into our family's nightly meals. Flavorful, authentic, cuisine I can easily prepare while trying out a new side dish recipe, or something I can serve alongside a family favorite. For me Ling Ling Asian cuisine has not only been an invaluable secret weapon, it's a brand that's been in my family's freezer for generations.

Last month I shared with you my fond memories of Chinese New Year celebrations  at the neighbors, growing up. It was there my mother was first introduced to the Ling Ling brand as her best friend, and our neighbor, divulged the brand's pot-stickers as the very same ones she served to her Mandarin family every year at their big Chinese New Year celebrations. At an event where preparations were made weeks in advance, and hours upon hours were spent slaving in the kitchen making every dish lovingly from scratch it was the only "short cut" she deemed worthy of her celebration table.

Ever since then we've had Ling Ling pot-stickers in our freezer year-round. Those deliciously stuffed dumplings offered an extra treat alongside Momma's own version of fried rice. In fact, you could say I rather looked forward to our family dinners when I saw that yellow bag on the counter!

We enjoy many styles of cuisine in our home today, though I'm far from a professional chef. I particularly love experimenting with Thai, Cantonese, and Japanese dishes- though I find main entrees a bit hard to master with all the spices. For now I generally stick to pressure cooker inspired dishes like General Tsaos or Green Chicken Curry; though a great Asian meal truly does require more than one course.

I was very excited last year when I stumbled upon Ling Ling Fried Rice varieties at my local VONS grocer. Right above our favorite all natural Ling Ling Potstickers were several varieties of Ling Ling Fried Rice inspired by Asian recipes from around the globe. I can honestly say we've tried them all, and they are all delicious thanks to their unique recipes and cooking process that coats and cooks each grain of rice in flavor prior to being packaged and heading to your local grocer.

With hearty varieties such as Ling Ling Bibimbap Beef and Ling Ling Yakatori Chicken Fried Rice I can find a little extra time to try a new recipe. With the weather being as cold as it has been lately a warm broth soup has been a must for our table. Did you know that most Asian cultures consume hot tea and soup with their main meal of the day as it aids in digestion; hot liquids prepare the stomach for more efficient processing of the meal to come!

Whenever we go out to eat Asian cuisine, of nearly any kind, a soup is always served. With Japanese and Chinese traditional 'American' restaurants you'll often see a Miso Broth Soup with green onions and tofu. It's a simple broth with uncomplicated flavors that acts a wonderful palette cleanse in preparation of the meal to come. Japanese Miyabi Onion soup has similar properties but a little more bitterness thanks to the steeping of onions. It's as simple as boiling all of the ingredients over an open flame for 25 minutes, then straining the broth into a few bowls and adding a dash of fried onion, green onions, and mushrooms.

I love this Miyabi Japanese Onion Soup recipe especially because I can easily set it and forget it on the stove while I cook our Ling Ling Fried Rice in the wok. While Ling Ling Fried Rice varieties have microwave preparation instructions for convenience they only take about 20 minutes on the stove, and the extra little 'crisp' you get from the finishing of the rice in an oiled pan is truly worth the little extra effort. The Yakatori Chicken variety is also full of delicious textures and flavors such as carrots, lima beans, peppers, and generous chunks of flavor coated, seared, chicken. It just might beat our local Chinese restaurant- it's that good.

If you haven't tried Ling Ling Fried Rice yet, or perhaps would like to try a variety new to you, take advantage of this limited time printable coupon for $2 off your Ling Ling entree or appetizer of 20oz or more. (You'll also find a store locator at this link.)

My mother taught me to never feel guilty about taking short cuts in the kitchen when the short cuts taste just as delicious as the long route. Ling Ling Asian cuisine is proof that you can save time and still enjoy authentic Asian flavors straight from your kitchen. Now if only I could finally master how to properly fold a Spring Roll I'd be on my way to truly earning a chef's vest!

There are many great ways to integrate Ling Ling products into your family's meal lineup with 5 delicious varieties of Fried Rice, delicious authentic all natural Potstickers, and New Ling Ling Noodle varieties. Feel free to grab our time-saving recipes for Sesame Cucumber Salad and Pressure Cooker Kung Pao Chicken by clicking the photo above, or visiting our Chinese New Year's post. You can also enter to win 1 of 5 $100 Walmart gift card prizes, to enjoy your own Asian-inspired meal at home, when you enter the giveaway, below (now through March 6th, 2018).

Tell me, what type of cuisine does your family love, that you wish you could master?

I-C will randomly select winners from all program entries and will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes (5)  

Ling Ling Asian Kitchen Giveaway (Phase 3)

Miyabi Onion Soup

****Click here for printable Japanese Miyabi Soup Recipe