Roasted Chickpeas

Crunchy, salty, and oh so yummy! Chickpeas, are inexpensive, readily available in your local supermarket, and packed with fiber, protein, folate and iron.. When roasted, chickpeas become crunchy, almost like a nut. They are great as a snack or sprinkled on salads in place of croutons. The key to this recipe is to keep stirring the chickpeas as they cook, and checking often to make sure they are golden brown, but not too done. You want them crispy!

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Cook Time: 20-30 minutes

• Yield: 2-3 servings

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz. can chickpeas

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil

• kosher salt or sea salt, or garlic salt

• Paprika, cayenne, or curry powder ( optional)

To Prepare

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F

• Toss chickpeas with olive oil and kosher salt.

• Spread out in an even layer on a heavy baking sheet lined with parchment paper

• Roast 20-30 minutes.

• Take out of oven and sprinkle with your spices

• Store at room temperature lightly covered but best when just cooked

Note: For best results, watch the chickpeas carefully. There is a perfect point when the chickpeas become crunchy and golden, almost like nuts. Roast them too long, and they get too hard. Too short, and they taste too soft.

Makes 3-4 servings.

Mediterranean Veggie Burgers

Ingredients

• 2 15-ounce cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 6 cloves garlic, chopped

• ½ cup chopped red bell pepper

• ⅓ cup chopped kalamata olives

• 1 jar marinated artichokes, drained and chopped

• 2 cups chopped fresh spinach

• ½ cup oats

• ½ teaspoon dried oregano

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. In a large bowl combine beans, onion, and garlic. Using a potato masher, lightly mash until about half of beans are mashed. Add in remaining ingredients and stir well.

2. On a cutting board or clean work surface, use bean mixture to form burger patties with your hands. Make sure to pack tight.

3. In a lightly greased frying pan on medium-high heat, cook burgers for about 5 minutes on each side or until both sides are golden. Serve on a bed of greens or vegan hamburger bun.