Chick Pea Salad Recipes

The chick pea or garbanzo bean has been around for many centuries. The chick pea is a good protein source and provides anyone who is interested in reducing or eliminating meat from their diet an ideal alternative.

Chickpeas are versatile and tasty either hot or cold. Buy them canned or dried but always be sure to have some handy. The dried ones will need at least 12 hours soaking before you use them

The canned just need to be rinsed and then they are ready to use.

Chickpea and Fruit Salad: Recipe.

Ingredients;

1- 14 oz can of chick peas

2- Fresh fruit, (strawberries, peaches, honey melon, grapes)

3- Lime juice

Preparation:

Empty chick peas into colander and rinse thoroughly, place in bowl, add lime juice and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours. Use melon ball to ball melons, add grapes whole, and slice peaches and strawberries. You do not need a lot of fruit for this recipe. I use 2 strawberries, ½ small peach, 8 small grapes and 4 melon balls. The remaining fruit can be used in smoothies, for example.

Add fruit to chick peas mix and place in refrigerator until ready to use. You can add a touch of honey for sweetness of more lime.

If you prefer to work with dried chick peas, then rinse them in cool water, and place in bowl, cover with water, put into refrigerator and let sit for at least 8 hours. When I use dried chick peas I let them sit over night.

After they have soaked for enough time. Drain them and rinse. Then add to pot cover with water and bring to boil. Turn down ehat to medium and let simmer for 45 minutes. Then rinse. You can then follow the recipe as above.

Chick peas are versatile and you can dress up a green salad simply by tossing in a handful.

Chick pea, tomato, cucumber salad recipe;

Ingredients

1- 14 oz can chick peas, drained and rinsed

2- 1 large tomato diced

3- ½ medium cucumber peeled and diced

4- 1 small sweet onion diced.

5- Lime and/or lemon juice to taste

6- Pinch sea salt

7- Black pepper to taste

Empty chick peas into colander and rinse thoroughly, place in bowl, add lime juice and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours. Put into serving bowl add tomatoes, onions and cucumbers. Sprinkle, sea salt, pepper and add juice. Mix and serve.

Easy Hummus Recipe

Serves 6-8 as a dip or sandwich spread

Ingredients:

1-1 14 oz can chickpeas drained

2-2 cloves garlic minced

3-Juice of 1 lemon

4-½ teaspoon sea salt

5-2 tablespoons tahini

6-2 Tablespoons virgin olive oil

7-1/3 cup fresh parsley

8-Cumin to taste, optional.

Place all ingredients in your food processor with the S blade and puree to desired consistency. I generally add a little water to get a nice creamy consistency. Taste and adjust flavors to your personal pleasure.

If you are looking for a little variety you can add a dash of your favourite hot sauce. This may take you beyond the range of your traditional hummus spread but if you enjoy it then do it.

Hummus makes a great spread for crackers or on pita bread.

Cooking is fun and creative. Chick peas are another dish that let you use your imagination to create a meal that matches your mood.