Saturday, April 30, 2016

Spiced Garbanzo Beans

Spiced Garbanzo Beans/Chick Peas


For brunch, today, I ate a bowl of spiced garbanzo beans, also known as chick peas.

Garbanzo beans are a type of legume and high in protein.  They are also a rather inexpensive source of protein.

I buy both dried garbanzo beans (either in packets or from the bulk bin at the ethnic store; can't remember the price per lb. though), or canned garbanzo beans (often on sale for $.50 per 14 oz. can or $.99 per 28 oz. can).  The dried garbanzo beans tend to be cheaper, but one must soak them for about 12 hours and boil them for about an hour or so, before they can be used.  The canned ones are already pre-cooked.  One just has to drain and rinse them. Canned garbanzo beans are a nice addition, as they are, to salads.

One of the things I like to do with either cooked dried garbanzos or the canned ones is make spiced garbanzo beans.

I usually use 2 of the 14 oz. cans or one 28 oz. can when I make for just myself and daughter.  If I am making for a crowd, or bulk cooking for the freezer, I will use more garbanzos and adjust the other ingredients accordingly.

First, I saute some finely sliced or diced onions (as much or as little as I like; about 1/2 an onion is usual) in a bit of oil, a teaspoon or so of mustard seeds  (depending on the amount of garbanzo beans), some curry leaves (can substitute a bay leaf), a sliced green chili or two (or some dried chilies), then add the cooked or canned garbanzo beans.  I will add a teaspoon or two of curry powder, stir and saute the garbanzo beans.  One can always vary the amount of spices (curry powder and chilies) to taste.  Finally add some salt and lemon juice to taste.

The resulting spicy garbanzo beans dish can be eaten by itself for breakfast or as an afternoon snack or served with rice as an accompanying curry. 

I like to make a quantity of it and freeze it in 1-2 serving portions to pull out and microwave, as I did this morning.  Which is why there are no pictures accompanying the cooking directions.

Do you eat garbanzo beans/chick peas?  If so, how do you serve them?  Do you think you'll try making spiced garbanzo beans? 

8 comments:

  1. Your spiced garbanzo beans sound delicious. I love that you often eat such interesting things for breakfast.
    I was reminded that I have a recipe using garbanzos that I haven't made in years:

    "Savory Chick Peas"
    2 tins (19fl.oz) chick peas
    Oil
    4 onions chopped
    4 cloves garlic
    1 teasp. ground turmeric
    4 teasp. grated fresh ginger
    2 teasp. garam masala
    6 cups liquid
    4 tomatoes cut in large chunks
    4 bay leaves
    4 tablesp. chopped fresh coriander
    2 tablesp. lemon juice
    Heat oil and cook onions and garlic. Add spices, cook 3 minutes. Add chickpeas, liquid, lemon juice, coriander. Heat through.

    Well, reading through that list makes me realize why I haven't made them for ages. But I'm sure I never would have added all that garlic as DH would have left home! I can get away with grinding dried garlic flakes in just about anything, though.

    Bushlady

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    1. Bushlady, your recipe sounds very good, too. More like a curry, than my version, which tends to be dry.

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  2. I'm going to steal both of these recipes. I like them as hummus. x

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    1. My daughter, too, likes hummus, but, for some reason, I don't much care for it! Hope you try the recipes and enjoy them. :)

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  3. I have a silly question for you Bless ... Does a curry not always contain coconut milk? I noticed your curried garbanzos do not contain it. Your recipes always sound so tasty. Really appreciate you sharing them. :)

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    Replies
    1. No such thing as a silly question, Carolyn. :) Most curries contain coconut milk (can substitute regular milk, as well). A curry with a gravy will always have milk added to it to make the gravy. However, we also make a number of dishes which are sauted, which do not have a gravy, and therefore, do not contain milk.

      One can add a can of coconut milk to the garbanzos I made and turn it to a curry with gravy.

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    2. Appreciate the info! Love trying new recipes and curry is so wonderfully fragrant and delicious. Made a crockpot curry chicken a few months ago that we enjoyed ... It contained coconut milk and the gravy was thick and tasty. Thanks for sharing the awesome foods that you prepare. :)

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    3. You are quite welcome. :)

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