Garbanzo beans, or as they’re also commonly known, chickpeas, are legumes that originated in the Middle East. Some people have dated them back 7,500 years, making them one of the oldest known types of legumes to have been cultivated and eaten by humans. They come in two varieties: white garbanzo beans and green garbanzo beans. White garbanzo beans are the common variety you see crushed up to make hummus. Green garbanzo beans are beans that are younger and aren’t quite ripe. They’re a tad bit sweeter and are softer than the white variety.
Along with being quite tasty (they’re the main ingredient in both hummus and falafel, which are some of our favorite dishes), garbanzo beans are also pretty healthy for you as they’re high in protein.
How to Cook Garbanzo Beans (Also known as Chickpeas)
You can purchase two types of garbanzo beans at the grocery store. The first type is in a can, and these are by far easier to cook as you don’t have to deal with the prep work involved in dealing with dried beans. The other type, as you may have guessed, are dried garbanzo beans. And while canned beans are easier, with dried beans, you can buy a much larger bag and spend less money. Plus, they’ll keep for quite a long time in a dried state.
Let’s assume you’re using dried garbanzo beans, and you need to get them ready to cook. The following steps can be taken to get them ready. Start by washing the beans under cool water. Check carefully to make sure there are no pieces of debris, like small pebbles or rocks, since they can be a similar color and texture to the dried beans. Add dried beans to a large pot and cover with water. Heat them over high heat until boiling, and then reduce heat and simmer (while covered) for 1.5 hours. Check to ensure that beans are soft. If they’re still a bit hard, simmer them for a little longer until they become soft. Drain beans and let them cool to room temperature.
How to Roast Garbanzo Beans
Roasted garbanzo beans make a delicious snack, and they’re easy to make. Roasted garbanzo beans are perfect for after school snacks, as a healthy appetizer before dinner, or even as a snack for the road. Plus, they take minimal prep time. Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay garbanzo beans on a clean towel and cover with a paper towel. Press down to remove excess liquid from the beans. Next, spread them out on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Roll the beans around to cover completely with oil. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of paprika together and sprinkle on top of garbanzo beans. Put the tray with the beans in the oven for 35 minutes or until beans are crunchy. Once finished, let them cool completely before serving.
How to Make Falafel from Garbanzo Beans
Falafel is a common dish made from garbanzo beans, and it’s a great dish that works as a snack and even as a quick and tasty dinner entree. Start with 1 pound of garbanzo beans, 1 medium sweet onion, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 bunch of parsley, and 1 bunch of cilantro. Chop the onions and peel and chop the garlic. Add garlic, onions, parsley, and cilantro to a food processor and process until blended. Add chickpeas and 3 Tablespoons of flour to mixture and continue blending until it forms a thick paste. Mix in salt and pepper to taste.
In a large skillet, add 1-2 inches of oil and heat over high. Roll mixture into small balls and add to skillet. Fry for 3-4 minutes or until falafel is golden brown. Let cool on a plate with a paper towel, so that any excess oil can drain off. Serve with salt, pepper, and a wedge of lemon.
How to Make Hummus from Garbanzo Beans
Hummus is another favorite and a must if you have garbanzo beans that you’re trying to use. Start by 2 cups of cooked garbanzo beans, 1 cloves of chopped garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, 3 Tablespoons of tahini, 1/2 lemon, and 3 Tablespoons of olive oil. Add all of the ingredients above into a food processor (for the lemon: squeeze the lemon half directly into the food processor) and blend until the mixture is smooth. It should only take a couple of minutes. Scrape it out of the food process and into a bowl, and serve with slices of toasted pita. Easy to make and yummy!
How do you like to use your garbanzo beans? Do you buy them dried and soak them overnight, or do you buy the ones in a can? What’s your favorite dish using garbanzo beans? Share with us in the comments!
