We are having a heat wave here in France. I hate it when it gets hot so early in summer! Mind you, I shouldn’t complain: although we don’t have air conditioning, up until now it hasn’t been too bad. Our thick wooden shutters, when closed, manage to keep most of the heat out. I also keep cooking to a minimum. Dear neighbors, this post is just about this: a recipe, which comes in three options (plain vegetarian, cheese-filled*, and meat-filled) and that requires very little cooking.
BUT… There is one small problem. One of the main ingredients is what we here call “flocons de pois cassés” – split pea flakes… I tried finding them on Amazon and yes, you can purchase them, at least in the U.K. … in the pet supply department!!! “pea flakes are a popular snack for all rodents“ says the description. Oops. I guess the cat is now out of the bag
Now, if you hesitate to take this very special treat from your pet, relax: I have an easy, no-cooking substitution for you!
*funny, but lately I have had cravings for cheese: is it merely psychological or could it be a special request from my mending bone?
Ingredients ( serves 2)
– 50 g split pea flakes + 50 g gluten-free oats + ½ tsp unrefined sea salt, to be rehydrated with 120 ml warm water OR :
– 50 g gluten-free oats + ¼ tsp unrefined sea salt, to be rehydrated in 60 ml warm water and mixed with 80 to 100 g cooked mashed garbanzo beans (do not hesitate to freeze any unused beans)
– 1 large egg
– ¼ tsp cumin
– 1 carrot (100 g)
– 2 TBSP sunflower seeds
– some olive oil for cooking
*** cheese filled option: 2 thin slices of cheese (dairy or non), Swiss type is best
*** meat filled option: 1 or 2 thin Parma ham slices, or some cooked shredded chicken (leftovers from a roast chicken would be fine)
How to:
1. Mash garbanzo beans if using. Mix flakes and salt with fork and add warm water. Set aside.
2. Beat egg and coarsely grate carrot. Mix and season with cumin, to taste. Quickly toast sunflower seeds in non-stick pan. They should turn slightly golden.
3. Combine everything.
4. Cooking for plain patties: using a small ladle, drop 4 heaps of batter onto a hot oiled non-stick pan. Smooth with back of a spoon into 1 cm thick (½ inch) patties and cook until slightly golden on each side.
Cooking for filled patties: drop a good half of the batter into 2 heaps. Shape and smooth as best as you can into round patties. Place cheese slices or meat onto each pattie, cover with the remainder of the batter and cook until slightly golden on each side.
Tell me, dear neighbor, which version tickles your fancy ? I love the one with the melted cheese inside.
sulfite-free cooking 
Hi Joelle. Do you think grinding split peas/red lentils into a flour might work? I am guessing that the flakes are used because they absorb water more quickly and cook through much speedier than the whole peas. The recipe sounds perfect – I love oats!
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Hi Kathryn! I am not sure that this would work, because after researching it a bit I learned that these are made from precooked peas, which are then flaked in a process similar to oat flaking Your best bet is to cook the dried split peas in little water: too much liquid would not work well here. Whichever method you try, let me know how it turns out.
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I wonder if quinoa flakes might work instead of split pea flakes. I’ll experiment – thank you, Joelle!
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Hi Dolly! Thank you for your suggestion. I am not sure how quinoa flakes would work here. My idea was to combine legume and cereal protein for a healthy meal. I could buy the quinoa flakes and experiment myself, but I think I will instead let you do it and wait for your feedback 😉
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Oh you are so smart! I’ll let you know, of course.
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I’ve never heard of split pea flakes, though I can relate to your troubles. When using carob I often found delicious recipes…for dogs, one of which became an faux-oreo recipe. I’m in the same boat dear neighbour, I’ve had little time for new creations and have instead been in the garden watering everything at least once a day, but everything is green and healthy, I even have a few tomatoes starting, Maybe they’ll survive without splitting like every other year. I hope you arm is healing up and that you’re being taken care of, sadly this neighbour lives across the ocean or he’d be happy to help in the garden. It’s obvious you need no help in the kitchen. The patties look delicious. Take care.
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Another hot day starting… I’ve just left a small container of water outside for the birds. Last night, as the night before, my husband had to water the beans (pretty sure we’ll have the first ones next week), potatoes and flowers, in addition to grating the carrot and flipping the patties for me! He is taking time off starting today so he will give the squash another go, even though it is a little late in the season.
My arm feels almost normal, although very weak, the muscle must be worthless after four weeks of doing nothing! The countdown till “Independence Day” has started 🙂. Tired of wearing the sling night and day…
You too, take care. Your freezer must be well stocked by now.
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I can’t wait to see how you’ll use all that fresh produce. It’s being emptied and restocked simultaneously. I’m eating my way through the old hospital stock and restocking for the new time, albeit slower, I only had a week last time, now I can take my time. I’m also planning on have a wheelbarrow placed near the plants that I can fill with a hose, then I can water with a small jug after the surgery. I’ll be safe, smart and, as always, stubborn! My squash need me after all.
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