Gluten Free Crepes for Mothers Day from the American Institute for Cancer Research

In their ceaseless and admirable effort to promote cancer-preventive lifestyle choices, the American Institute for Cancer Research and author Dana Jacobi create delicious and nutricious dishes and publish them for us all to enjoy, and this includes today's entry, chickpea crepes with spinach, mushroom and pesto.

After a flood of requests asking for a delicious gluten-free dish, Jacobi and the AICR offer up a Mother's Day example that is not only gluten-free but easy to make as well.

Making crepes at home is usually a stress-filled experience, but not here, and not for Mom on her special day. These crepes need only olive oil, water, and a beige flour made from dried chickpeas (a.k.a. garbanzo beans). It should be easily found in the gluten-free section of most supermarkets along with whole foods-type stores where it might be called garbanzo bean flour.

However, Jacobi does warn that:

As with wheat-flour crepes, you do have to get the rhythm of lifting the pan, pouring the batter and tilting the pan right, so expect to save the first one or two of these crepes for the cook to munch on. But after that, the batter makes delicious results that flip easily and do not tear.

Remember, every recipe that is offered by the AICR has been vetted and approved by a registered dietitian.

Chickpea Crepes with Spinach, Mushroom and Pesto

Crepes

• 1 cup chickpea flour
• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. soft buttery spread, if using skillet

Filling

• 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/3 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 6 oz. Cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
• 1 (5 oz. box) baby spinach
• 2 Tbsp. prepared pesto
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In medium bowl, whisk chickpea flour, oil, rosemary and salt with water until mixture is smooth. Let batter sit 20-30 minutes to thicken slightly. Before cooking stir to loosen any clumps.

For crepes, set non-stick crepe pan over medium-high heat until drops of water flicked into pan ball up and bounce. With one hand, hold pan up at 45-degree angle. Pour ¼ cup batter near top of pan, rotating pan as you pour so batter flows into 6-7-inch round crepe. Cook until crepe is golden on bottom, 1-2 minutes. Using large spatula, turn and cook until crepe is lightly golden on bottom, about 30 seconds. Transfer crept to large plate. Cover each crepe with wax paper. If using a regular skillet instead of non-stick crepe pan, coat hot pan with ½ teaspoon spread before first crepe and repeat as needed between crepes.

If not filling crepes immediately, cool to room temperature and cover plate with plastic wrap. Hold crepes at room temperature for up to 8 hours, refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

For filling, in medium skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add red peppers and cook, stirring, until onions are translucent, 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture looks wet, 5-6 minutes. Add spinach, stirring to wilt leaves. Cook, stirring often, until most of moisture has evaporated and filling is tender, 8 minutes.

If crepes have been made ahead, wrap them in foil and warm in 250 degrees oven, 20 minutes. To assemble crepes, in small bowl, mix pesto with 2 tablespoons warm water. Stir pesto into filling. Arrange a crepe on a plate. Spoon one-sixth filling over bottom half of each crepe, then gently fold crepe in half over filling. Repeat with remaining crepes and filling. If desired, garnish plate with some mesclun leaves and strawberries. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings.

Per serving: 170 calories, 11 g total fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 15 g carbohydrate, 6 g protein, 4 g dietary fiber, 400 mg sodium.