Don’t you love when you come across a recipe and it’s made in a way that has never occurred to you before? Culinary discoveries are one of my favourite things about vegan food creation. Before I started experimenting with a plant-based diet, I had no idea there were so many exciting ways to change up traditional animal-based recipes. Almonds make milk? Coconut Cream makes whipped cream? Avocados make chocolate pudding? Lentils make meatloaf and taco meat? Cauliflower makes alfredo sauce? Buckwheat makes raw porridge? GET OUT.
Almost 6 years later, I’m still discovering new twists on classic recipes and often find they taste even better than the real thing. Just when I feel like I can’t possibly come up with a new recipe, I’m inspired by talented bloggers, restaurants/bakeries, and cookbooks just to name a few.
One such talented blogger who has become a dear friend over the years is Gena Hamshaw from the blog, Choosing Raw. She’s been a constant source of inspiration since my early days of blogging (waaaaay back to 2008), so I was naturally excited to be offered a copy of her first cookbook. Her writing is evocative, thoughtful, and informative and her recipes are uncomplicated, full of plants, and always satisfying. If you’ve ever thought that raw recipes require too many steps or hard-to-find ingredients, Gena’s recipes prove just how simple and unfussy they can really be.
Case in point: This Hemp Seed Tabouli straight from Gena’s new cookbook, Choosing Raw: Making Raw Foods Part of the Way You Eat.
Rather than using bulgur in her tabouli recipe, Gena uses hulled hemp seeds. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of using hulled hemp seeds as a base for tabouli before (cauliflower and quinoa variations were as crazy as I got), but it’s a brilliant swap. This easy switch packs in loads of protein and healthy omega fatty acids, while doing without any cooking. Just chop, mix, and serve. Isn’t that what summer meals are all about? It’s the perfect recipe to whip up for a quick lunch on a hot day and even better if you are without an oven during a renovation. Pair this tabouli with some hummus and crackers (I served it with my Endurance Crackers made in the dehydrator instead of the oven!) and you have yourself a fine summer lunch packed with fresh summer veggies, protein, healthy fats, and more. Fresh, fresh, fresh!
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Gena's Hemp Seed Tabouli
Yield
4 servings
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Tabouli with a high-protein twist! A tasty raw summer dish that doesn't require any cooking and comes together in less than 10 minutes. Try serving it with my Endurance Crackers and hummus for a fun mezze platter. Recipe from Choosing Raw by Gena Hamshaw. Reprinted with permission from Da Capo Lifelong, © 2014.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (I used 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon)
- 4 medium yellow vine or Jersey tomatoes, chopped (I used 2-3 large red tomatoes)
- 1 cup shelled hemp seeds
- 2 tablespoons hemp oil (I used olive oil)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Directions
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)Choosing Raw is packed with 125 fresh and easy recipes (many of which don’t even require an oven), in addition to a few opening chapters on vegan nutrition, myths and misconceptions, and how to get started. I have several of her recipes bookmarked during our kitchen renovation. The other night I made the Raw Gazpacho and it was lovely too. I threw in some fresh dill and hemp hearts for fun.
For dessert, I tried out Gena’s Raw Key Lime Pie. This is a fun treat to stash in the freezer during the summer.
I made cupcake-sized tarts instead of one 9-inch pie. We just love eating these straight from the freezer. I should also note that I changed up the crust. I cut the cashews down to 1 cup (from 2 cups) and then used 1 cup of rolled oats in its place to save some money. Then I just added a tablespoon of water to make the dough stick together nicely. Worked like a charm!
Be sure to check out Gena’s cookbook: Choosing Raw: Making Raw Foods Part of the Way You Eat if you are looking for easy ways to incorporate more raw (or just veggie-centric) foods into your diet.
OMG this is just brilliant!! I cannot wait to try it and to check out this amazing book!
Hemp seeds in tabouli?? What a brilliant idea! This looks so simple, delicious and superfood-ish. Completely agree with you about always finding out about new and smart ways to veganize and up the health factor in classic recipes; I’m surprised on an almost-daily basis by amazing creations like this one.
…And your photos: gorgeous!
Speaking of swaps for traditional animal-based recipes, I tried your “tuna” recipe yesterday and it turned out amazing! (I posted about it here: http://homeatsix.com/2014/07/nicoise-salad/)
Those raw key lime pie tarts look awesome! Sounds like a great recipe book.. will check out!
So glad it was a hit! I make that recipe all the time (both almond and chickpea variations).
This looks like something I saw in taste of homes but I like your twists. And yes guys read taste of homes as well as woman! Looks delicious and will definitely be trying this !
I never would have thought of using hemp seeds this way! I just used the last of mine for breakfast, so I’m going to need to get more! : )
I’m in quite the food rut right now, this looks like a great way to climb out!
this is very interesting – i got a whole bag of hemp seed begging me to use…
truly brilliant – I bought hemp seeds on a whim and didn’t know how to use them. I’m a huge fan of tabouli – I’m definitely making this! Also a fan of Choosing Raw!
This looks delicious but where can you get hemp seed? Whole Foods?
You can find it at most grocery stores these days (try the natural food section or bulk food section if they have one), online, and yes specialty stores like Whole Foods or natural food stores too. Hope this helps!
I have found them for several months at my local Costco.
I love hemp seeds so obviously I love the idea of them in this salad! :) And those mini pies look incredible. Both of these recipes look fresh and summer-y and the photography is perfection. Thanks Gena & Angela! :)
Looks delish. This would be a great cottage dish, cuz who wants to be stuck cooking inside while at the cottage, not me.
Hemp seed?! COOL! This looks great!
Your cookbook and Gena’s are the only 2 cookbooks I’ve ever pre-ordered and waited for eagerly. I love her recipes and like you said, they are so easy and make raw food less daunting. I can’t wait to try this recipe and I’ve been eyeing the vegan key lime pie, but I might borrow your idea and make cupcake sized ones–they’re so adorable!
Thank you Alex! I’m loving all the recipes too. :)
Ohhh looks so good & it’s time I tried the endurance crackers! We just pulled out our dehydrator so i’m intrigued to try them that way – how did you do it? Thanks!!
Hey Christina,
I just spread the cracker “dough” onto a dehydrator sheet (I expect you could use parchment paper too!) in a thin layer. Then I dehydrated at 115F for several hours until firm and crisp. I lost track of how long I dehydrated them for, so I suggest just keeping an eye on them! The longer you dehydrate the crispier they will get.
I love learning from other bloggers as well! There are so many creative people out there! This recipe looks so refreshing and is so perfect for the summer!
I just bought some hemp seeds for the first time! Might have to make this :) I know I am learning so much with regards to substituting and creating foods thanks to becoming vegan!
I loved this recipe too! In fact I’ve loved everything I’ve made from the book. The recipes are so darn accessible that I’m finding myself turning to the book almost every day!
Your Endurance crackers are on the must-make list!
Thanks for nice recipe, and awesome idea with seeds. Gluten free is really important thing. Eliza :)))
Tabbouleh for lunch and lime tarts for dessert sound like a plan to me! I love Gena’s blog and lately have been a terrible blog reader but am definitely going to check out her cookbook. There’s an enormous bag of hemp seeds sitting in my cupboard and I know exactly what I’m going to do with them! :)
I just got Gena’s book and have been thumbing through it…and seeing this makes me want to stop thumbing through and start cooking! Beautiful and pinned! :)