Here's to the humble chick pea!
It's full of fiber, phytonutrients and it's one of the top sources of Vitamin B6.
It's so cheap, it makes the Green Cheapskate's list of 50 Healthy Foods for Under $1 a Pound.
And, as a bean you can easily buy in cans (caution: best be cautious and look for BPA-free cans) or dry in bulk, it's easy to buy in any season and store for just about as long as you need before you're ready to cook it.
For those on a gluten-free diet, it offers a versatility that can stand in for wheat in some recipes.
It even comes with a jazzy pseudonym, the garbanzo bean.
But how do you make the bland, cream-colored little legumes taste good?
The Daily Green to the rescue! Here are 10 tasty recipes that will make this bean a favorite.
> Flaxseed Crackers with Homemade Sprouted-Chickpea Hummus (Raw Food for Real People)
> Chickpea, Tomato and Kale Salad (Country Living)
> Chickpea-Potato Fritters with Nigella Seeds (The Daily Green)
> Gluten-Free Chickpea Salad with Carrots, Walnuts and French Feta (Shauna James Ahern)
> Vegan Portobello Salad with Spicy Mustard Dressing (Veganomicon)
> Pasta with Broccoli Rabe and Garbanzos (Good Housekeeping)
> Sweet Potato and Peanut Stew (Good Housekeeping)
> Jamie Oliver's Vegetable Jalfrezi (The Daily Green)
> Harissa Soup (The Big Book of Quick & Healthy Recipes)
> Whole Wheat Pita Pizzas with Vegetables (Good Housekeeping)
More Tips from The Daily Green
> 13 Healthy Homemade Pizza Recipes
> 7 Granola Bars You Can Make at Home
> The Dirty Dozen: 12 Foods to Eat Organic
> 10 Quick Healthy Breakfast Options
> 30 Seasonal Recipes to Enjoy in Winter/p>
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
