Meatless Monday Roundup: 6 Chickpea Recipes
Chickpeas, garbanzo beans, ceci beans… whatever you call this legume, it’s the perfect protein power source for vegetarian meal options. Not only are chickpeas chock full of vitamins and minerals, but their relatively mild flavor means that they’re a great addition to many different kinds of meals. Puréed to add thickness and texture, whole for a creamy bite, roasted for a nutty flavor… consider adding chickpeas to your next meal! For some ideas on how to use chickpeas, here are some of our favorite recipes from around the web.
As an appetizer or crunchy morsel served with drinks, try roasted chickpeas in place of peanuts or crackers. When roasted, chickpeas acquire a nutty flavor and crunchy texture that makes them the perfect salty snack with drinks. At Organic Authority, we like to add different spices for a new spin on what will soon become a classic snack favroite in your home. Try cumin, your favorite curry powder blend, or even cinnamon for sweet and spicy tang.
At lunchtime, sub over-fished tuna for chickpeas, with a Chickpea of the Sea sandwich. We love the clever use of umeboshi vinegar to get the taste of your favorite childhood sandwich. You can even make substitutions to make this sandwich entirely vegan.
Chickpeas are a common ingredient in Indian food, where they’re known as chana or channa. Try your own version with this recipe for chana masala. This recipe makes it even easier by using canned chickpeas (buy those from Eden Foods, who uses BPA-free cans!), while traditional versions use dried chana. Even with this shortcut, this recipe gives you the richest, most flavorful version of this Indian dish.
For an even quicker Indian chickpea recipe, try our Indian chickpea dip as an appetizer. Creamy and full of spices, this easy dip will soon become a favorite!
Chickpeas can even be used in sweet options, like our Chickpea Flax Granola Bars. The nutritional double-header of chickpeas and flax seeds combined with sweet dried fruit, agave and coconut oil makes for the perfect midday snack or energy bar during a hike. They can even be eaten as a quick breakfast on the run!
Hummus is a classic dip made with chickpeas, but have you ever thought of making it sweet? This peanut butter chocolate chip hummus uses maple syrup as a sweetener. Offer it with pita, fruit or small bites of cake for dipping as a dessert tray item, and get your nutrients and protein, even at dessert!
