Wonder Vegan

50 States, 50 Vegan Dishes: Delaware crab puffs

Photo by Bethany Fehlinger

(This recipe was first featured for Meatout Mondays on the No Sweat, York, blog.)

Delaware has a special place in my heart.

My family would vacation in Delaware (Bethany Beach!) often when I was growing up. We stayed in Ocean City, Md., quite a few times, but I remember the first time we stayed at Bethany Beach at a condo complex. It was pure bliss for me. I miss going down there, and I am hopefully planning a trip for this summer.

Delaware, like any coastal city, is known for its seafood. This is why I chose crab puffs for this state.

When I made this dish, it was for a Thirty-One party I had in January.

I didn’t have a lot of time to create these crab puffs, and if you wanted them to look more like hushpuppies, that wouldn’t fly. (Hushpuppies remind me of Long John Silver’s!) Then I stumbled upon this recipe by Pillsbury and rejoiced. Many of Pillsbury’s products are vegan friendly, which is helpful for making a last-minute pizza or finger food for a party.

These cute little puffs can be a great dish for dinner, paired with a fresh salad or sauteed veggies. It only dirtied two bowls and a cookie tray, and took about 30 minutes to make.

Ingredients: 

• 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations refrigerated seamless dough sheet or (1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls, plain variety)
• 1 can of chickpeas, drained and mashed
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• A dash of hot sauce or chili powder
• 1/2 cup of Vegenaise (vegan mayonaise alternative)
• 1 fake egg (optional)
• 1 teaspoon kelp or other seaweed powder (optional)
• 3/4 cup of shredded vegan cheddar cheese (Daiya brand used)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped plum/Roma tomato
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon vegan margarine (Earth Balance used)

Recipe:

1. In a medium bowl, pour in drained chickpeas and mash until desired consistency.  Add garlic and hot sauce or chili powder and stir. (If you have kelp powder or another seaweed powder and want a more sea-like taste, add a generous teaspoon.)
2. If using fake egg, follow directions on the container and make one egg. (I usedVegg, which gave the dish an eggy flavor. But it is not needed to keep the filling together.) Add Vegenaise to the bowl and mix.
3. Pour egg/mayo mixture into chickpea mixture. Stir.
4. Add chopped tomato, green onions and vegan cheddar cheese. Stir until incorporated. Set the bowl aside.
5. Heat oven to 375°F. In small bowl, mix melted butter. Wipe your cookie pan with oil or use a vegan nonstick cooking spray.
6. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough on sheet; press into 12×8-inch rectangle. If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough on sheet; press into 12×8-inch rectangle, firmly press perforations to seal.
7. Cut into 2-inch squares. Brush with butter.
8. Bake 4 to 6 minutes or until puffed. Take out and let cool for 1 minute.
9. Spoon a generous tablespoon of chickpea mixture on each square.
10. Bake 10 to 12 minutes longer or until golden brown and tops are set. Serve warm.

See other 50 States, 50 Vegan Dishes recipes.