Dinner for One: Chickpea Teriyaki Stir-Fry

Here's a really easy and delicious meal that I made one night recently when I was cooking for myself.  It was New Year's Eve and we were having a quick dinner before heading out for the night.  Brian had leftover pizza so he was all taken care of.  I found a bag of stir-fry veggies in the freezer, cooked them up with some chickpeas and teriyaki sauce, and dinner was done!  If you have the time and motivation to make it (I did not), the addition of brown rice will definitely make for a more hearty and satisfying meal.  Another option would be to wrap it up in a whole-wheat tortilla.  

NOTE: I got the frozen veggies 10/$10 and the chickpeas were well under $1 for the whole can (I used half).  Even if you cook up some rice or use tortillas, this is a much cheaper option than some of those single-serving microwave bowls - and it seriously doesn't take much longer to make!

Chickpea Teriyaki Stir-Fry
(printable recipe)

Ingredients:

1 package frozen stir-fry veggies

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce (I prefer low-sodium)
Garlic powder, to taste
Ginger powder, to taste

Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
1-2 tsp. cornstarch, optional

Directions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.  Add frozen veggies and a couple tablespoons of water.  Cover and steam until veggies are cooked, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

2. While the veggies are cooking, stir garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes into teriyaki sauce until garlic powder dissolves.  (NOTE: If you like a thicker sauce, add 1-2 tsp. cornstarch and stir until dissolved.)

3. Add chickpeas and sauce and stir to combine.  Cover and cook until heated through, about 5 more minutes.  

Serves 1.