This is the fastest party appetizer known to man.
Or the fastest and most flavorful snack known to busy woman.
It’s a slice it ‘n spear it special.
Make the brown sugar and balsamic reduction dipping sauce in just a few minutes.
And clear out your sinuses from the vinegar vapors in the process.
My $5 thrift store find dishes were begging to be used and I wouldn’t say I made this just so I could use them in some photographs, but I kind of did.
Normally when I think of food on-a-stick, I think corn dogs or cotton candy. Never raw, vegan, vegetables, or healthy. I guess there’s a first time for everything.
I wish I had a party to bring my toothpick creations to but I didn’t, so I had a festive protein-packed vegan snack on the couch instead.
A party with me, my sticks, and my dip.
The balsamic dipping sauce is not for the faint of heart. A little goes a long way.
It’s powerful stuff, but I love it. I love dips of all kinds and usually like a little food with my dip.
Pin This Recipe
Enjoy AverieCooks.com Without Ads! 🆕
Go Ad Free
How To Make Balsamic Reduction In 10 Minutes with Tempeh and Cucumbers
Ingredients
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup light or dark brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup diced tempeh
- ½ cup diced cucumber*, See Notes
Instructions
- Combine the vinegar and brown sugar in a medium sauce pan, stir to combine, and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce to medium heat and allow sauce to boil for approximately 6 to 8 minutes, or until reduced by half, or is as thick as desired. Stir occasionally while boiling and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t bubble over or get too thick.
- Pour the reduction into heat-safe container so it can cool while preparing the tempeh and cucumber. Tip – Immediately put your dirty saucepan into the sink with running water and dish soap or it will become a sticky, stubborn mess if sauce is allowed to cool on the saucepan.After reduction has cooled (or been refrigerated), it will thicken considerably. It can be used hot, warm, or cold. Reduction will keep airtight for at least 1 month in the refrigerator.
- Dice equal portions of tempeh and cucumber and spear with toothpicks. Serve with sauce on the side. I do not sautee my tempeh first (I use it straight from the package), but if desired, pan-sautee diced tempeh over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of oil (or just use cooking spray) in a non-stick pan for 3 minutes or until golden brown, sprinkling with salt, pepper, and other seasonings (garlic, onion powder, curry, turmeric, Mrs. Dash etc.) if desired.
- Spear the tempeh cubes with the cucumber on toothpicks, dip into reduction, and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
©averiecooks.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Related Recipes
I love all things vinegary:
Homemade Salad Dressing (vegan) with apple cider vinegar
Homemade Komboucha. There is something about the tang of vinegar I have always loved and kombucha is right up my alley
Hot Pepper Jelly (Vegan, GF) – with an intro to canning
Stovetop Hot Pepper Jelly (Vegan, GF) – no canning required but vinegar is required
I’ve been on quite the tempeh kick lately. It’s so easy because unlike tofu, no pressing is required, and tempeh is packed with plant-based protein.
I love the way it tastes both raw or in a Fig Butter and Cumin Tempeh Stir Fry.
This toothpick creation is slightly classier than eating tempeh straight out of the package and nearly as easy.
If I would have had carrots, radishes, bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms on hand, I would have added them to my mini raw kebobs but went with just cucumbers and tempeh.
Springtime at the farmers market is coming up.
There will no shortage of vegetables to spear along with the tempeh cubes.
Another easy, no-fuss, wrap ‘n eat favorite to make with spring and summer vegetables are Fresh Vegan Spring Rolls with 2-Minute Peanut Sauce
Do you like tempeh? Do you enjoy vinegary foods?
I’m sure you could do the same thing with tofu on sticks but the thought of raw, unpressed tofu, straight out of the package is not appetizing to me.
It’s too mushy in comparison to tempeh, which is firm, has plenty of texture, heartiness, and chewiness. Combined with the crunch of the cucumbers, and that nasal-clearing balsamic reduction, I was in heaven with my little sticks.
Do you have a favorite fast and easy party appetizer you make? Or a fast and easy go-to snack or small meal?
Thanks for the Baking Supplies Giveaway entries
I love, LOVE those serving platters/plates. They are simple and elegant.
And I got them for $5 bucks (the post before the tempeh one that I linked to) at the thrift store!
Those look awesome and so easy! I love roasted red pepper hummus with veggies, although your idea looks much more exciting!
I love tempeh & vinegar.. I literally could drink vinegar by itself. I go through phases where I will do the apple cider vinegar thing before meals & in the mornings. I don’t mind the taste one bit. Now I am craving tempeh.. must head to wholefoods soon! mmmm. Thanks for this great recipe/idea!! can’t wait to try it out! you rock!
http://www.knowingketrin.blogspot.com
Love me up quick + yummy recipes like this. Leaves lots more time for all of the other stuff we need to do everyday!
It’s your kinda food..not sweet, protein, easy. Lunchboxes were coming to mind on this one :)
I’ve never worked with tempeh before, but this looks delicious!
Just had to say that I adore those first few photos of the tempeh and cucumbers on a stick. Love the colors.
that means a ton coming from you, Melissa :)
I like your new avatar pic, your site…all your changes are gorgeous!
I like tempeh, but I don’t eat it enough.
I like your recipe since it’s so quick and easy!
I have actually never tried tempeh before. I bought it once, but it went bad before I ever got around to trying it. At least according to the package it was bad, someone later told me that it was probably just fine. I wish it was Spring here! It’s actually been freeeezing. Snow in a lot of places. Not the usual weather!
These bite size little nuggets are ADORABLE!!!
Averie – The dishes look so beautiful as usual. Especially for the price! Are you like me now when you shop, you search for photography rich dishes………then come up with something to put on them? I set a $10 limit for myself otherwise I’d need another kitchen just to store them all. Love the recipe and the pics
I look for things I know will look great in pics AND be versatile; i.e. this little set isn’t too versatile, well maybe it is….I need to make sushi or maybe raw cookie dough balls :) But it was only 5 bucks and lots of pieces and great colors!
I love the serving dish for the tempeh!
Fave go to snack: apples and peanut butter…can’t resist.
I skip the apples and just use spoon + PB :)
Mmm, what a simple, elegant appy! I love all things vinegary too…when it comes to making salad dressing it’s more like a 3:1 ratio of vinegar to oil for me- ha ha!
Wow! You must have a much better thrift store than the ones near us. You know, I’ve tried tofu in just about every way possible, but I have yet to try tempeh. This looks really refreshing. And I love balsamic vinegar! I made my first balsamic reduction a few weeks ago and was so excited to have it turn out well- I always thought it would be so difficult.
I have about 10 within walking distance, a few city blocks. It’s thrify, retro, antique central. LOTS of junk and useless stuff but some gems if you take the time and check back frequently.
Glad your balsamic reduction was a success!
I LOVE that you’re on a tempeh kick! The plates look so pretty and really compliment the cucumber’s color. For parties, my go-to is to grill up some carrot slices and whip up a hummus dip with whatever beans I have on hand. It’s easy and tastes delightful.
I am such a fan of balsmic-anything. There’s a kitchen store in town that has a whole array of balsamic vinegars and flavors that you can sample — my favorite is the fig and the chocolate flavored vinegars!
fig and the chocolate flavored vinegars sound amazing!
i’ve grown to love vinegary foods. especially kombucha! i’ve saved soo much money with the amount i drink (plus my family). crave the stuff daily :) love this appetizer and the serving dishes you have!
Yes making your own is sooo much smarter$$ over time! Not to mention the taste is better :) The serving dishes were my $5 find from yesterday’s post!
Love how you used these dishes for this meal. The dip sounds fantastic!
It all comes down to cute dishes for us bloggers, doesn’t it :)