How To Make Balsamic Reduction In 10 Minutes with Tempeh and Cucumber Skewers

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.

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5 from 1 vote

How To Make Balsamic Reduction In 10 Minutes with Tempeh and Cucumbers

By Averie Sunshine

For a fast appetizer or snack, chewy tempeh with crisp cucumbers is a refreshing and easy option. I enjoy the tempeh sticks dipped in homemade balsamic reduction. It’s so easy to make your own, it’s ready in less than 10 minutes, is far cheaper than storebought, and keeps for months in the fridge. I drizzle balsamic reduction on salads, vegetables, bread, or any time I want a tangy kick.

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

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Ingredients  

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• ▢ ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• ▢ ¼ cup light or dark brown sugar, packed
• ▢ ½ cup diced tempeh
• ▢ ½ cup diced cucumber*, See Notes

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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

*(English cucumbers have fewer seeds and less water than traditional cucumbers; or use zucchini, bell peppers, radishes, carrots, or mushrooms)

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 4kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Sugar: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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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?

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