SPICEY CHICKPEAS

                                               SPICEY CHICKPEAS  (Garbanzos Beans)

 

Creamy Greek Yogurt tops it off

 

A high in protein and fiber dish, the Chickpea is most commonly used in Hummas and Falafels.  Cooking them at home makes them very affordable. (verses canned precooked), but it is time consuming. I wanted to make a veggie meal with mine and came up with this Middle Eastern twist on the pea/bean, thanks to a suggestion from my daughter Alexandra.  The Greeks would add spinach, tomato chopped and the spices might be oregano instead of cumin and cilantro.

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 / 2 large white onion, finely chopped.

½ teaspoon of ground cumin.

1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

1 large garlic clove minced

1/2 teaspoon of turmeric.

2 teaspoon chopped parsley

16 oz of garbanzo beans (soaked and cooked if dry or one can precooked).

½ - 1 teaspoon of black pepper

½ teaspoon of salt.

Juice of one lemon

Topping:  3 tablespoons chopped raw onion; 4 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt; fresh parsley or cilantro.

To prepare dried CHICKPEAS:

               Rinse 16 oz chickpeas under cool water.  Drain and place in bowl and cover with cool water so 2-3 inches above peas. 

 

 Let soak overnight. Drain and place in a large pot and cover again with water.  (you can add salt and 2 bay leaves) Bring to a boil and lower heat to a good high simmer. Cook until tender about three hours. During the cooking come and check there is plenty of water and scoop off the foam that develops. Drain

Directions:

Sautee the onions in the olive oil for 3-4 minutes till tender.  Add all the spices and the chickpeas and simmer until all warmed thru.

Drizzle with the lemon juice and add a dopple of plain Greek yogurt and chopped onion.

Top with toasted corn tortillas broken in pieces for added crunch.

TIPS:

• I am not a fan of coriander or cilantro so I substituted fresh parsley

•   Add 1  teaspoon of ground coriander

•  Garnish with 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, chopped.

•   Remove the corn tortilla and take all and put in a Pita for a wonderful veggie sandwich.

As always be your own Creative Dump Cook and change this recipe to what YOU have on hand!