Chickpeas are widely used around the world. You will find chickpeas in many plant-based recipes, as they are an excellent source of protein and fiber. Here is an easy-to-read guide to chickpeas.
What are Chickpeas?
Chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans are part of the legume (scientific name is Fabaceae) family. They are integral to Middle Eastern, Indian, African, and Mediterranean cuisines.
Chickpeas or Garbanzo?
Around the world, chickpeas are known by various names such as “channa” in India, “ceci” in many African countries, and garbanzo, the Spanish-derived name for Chickpeas. The names chickpeas and garbanzo are used interchangeably. Don`t worry we are still talking about the same legume here.
Chickpea dishes from around the world.
You will find chickpeas in a variety of dishes around the world — a bowl of chana masala from India is a richly seasoned curry that contains cooked chickpeas, an assortment of warm spices including garam masala, chopped tomatoes, and onions.
A deep-fried pea ball called Falafel from Egypt is made from chickpeas and seasoned with herbs and spices. You can find falafel in wraps, stuffed into pitas, or served just as-is.
A bowl of Ethiopian Shiro stew is made with various spices, herbs, seasonings, and Shiro powder. Shiro powder is made from ground chickpeas, various spices, onions, and garlic. This dish is typically served alongside injera, which is a fermented flatbread made from teff.
Soak or no soak?
In my personal opinion, dried beans/peas should be soaked overnight in room-temperature water. Soaked beans cook faster than unsoaked beans. Beans/peas have a reputation for causing intestinal gas, stomach problems, and flatulence (a.k.a: farts).
Therefore, by soaking your dried peas/beans overnight the likelihood of such issues is reduced.
How to cook dried Chickpeas?
The first step of cooked dried chickpeas starts the day before you plan to actually cook. You will need to soak your chickpeas in a bowl of room-temperature water overnight. I usually soak my chickpeas around 7:00pm – 8:00pm the night before.
How To Cook Dried Chickpeas
1 LB Dried Chickpeas (soaked chickpeas)
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
10 cups of Water
Instructions
- Drain and rinse your soaked chickpeas. Set aside.
- On medium heat in a medium-size pot, bring 10 cups of water to a rolling boil. Once water is boiling add in sea salt.
- Add in your soaked chickpeas.
- Boil on medium heat for 45-50 minutes.
- To test for doneness, smash a chickpea on your spoon if it smashes easily and is sot then your chickpeas are cooked.
- Drain your cooked chickpeas and then use a needed. You may freeze any leftover cooked chickpeas for later use.
You can print the above recipe by clicking “Print Now” in the recipe box below.
How To Cook Dried Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 1 LB Dried Chickpeas (soaked overnight)
- 10 cups Water
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
Instructions
- Drain and rinse your soaked chickpeas. Set aside.
- On medium heat in a medium-size pot, bring 10 cups of water to a rolling boil. Once water is boiling add in sea salt.
- Add in your soaked chickpeas.
- Boil on medium heat for 45-50 minutes.
- To test for doneness, smash a chickpea on your spoon if it smashes easily and is sot then your chickpeas are cooked.
- Drain your cooked chickpeas and then use a needed. You may freeze any leftover cooked chickpeas for later use.
If you need ideas for turning your home-cooked chickpeas into delicious recipes, then please check out my e-book “From Chickpeas, With Love”. This e-book contains 10 plant-based recipes that use chickpeas as the main ingredient. You will find versatile, delicious, and creative recipes such as a rich and fulfilling Roasted Garlic Hummus Pasta, Stuffed Hummus Pitas with Veggies, Crispy Cumin Chickpeas – the perfect protein-packed snack, and my all-time favorite recipe from this e-book, the Grain Goddess Salad with a Creamy Roasted Garlic Hummus Dressing and Crispy Cumin Chickpeas. You can purchase the “e-book “From Chickpeas, With Love” here or by clicking the “BUY NOW” button below.
Let me know your favorite way to eat chickpeas in the comment below. I am genuinely curious. Thank you very much for reading this post. You can find all my recipes here on the blog.
Please share this guide with your family and friends, so that my blog can reach more people. Thank you and until the next post, keep growing.
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