#chickpeas

#chickpeas

Usually, people are either in the French toast or pancake camp when it comes to breakfast, but there's no denying that a good waffle just really hits the spot every so often. Sweet, satisfying, and totally customizable, waffles can be a morning-time hero when prepared the right way, and there's one ingredient you can utilize to give them a quick protein boost: chickpeas.

Beans are a hero ingredient for any salad. They're rich with protein and fiber and low in fat, so tossing them into any recipe is an instant health boost. They're also little flavor bombs - among the varying types of beans, you'll find different levels of nuttiness, richness, starchiness, earthiness, and sweetness. This explains why three-bean salad has been a favorite since the '50s, and why a whole new generation has embraced "dense bean salads" on TikTok.

There is another advantage to a sheet pan meal: It delivers big on flavor. One-pan cooking ensures that each ingredient mingles in a happy jumble during the baking process, sharing their spices and aromas, exuding their juices and uniting in a flavorful meal. In this recipe, chicken, tomatoes and chickpeas are coated in a smoky, lemon-infused marinade, then spread on a baking sheet and banished to the oven for just enough time to cook the meat.

At the grocery store, I am a wide-eyed baby with a wholly undeveloped sense of object permanence. What do I have at home? Your guess is as good as mine. It wouldn't hurt to grab a can of beans, you know, just in case the reserves are low. Well, peekaboo. At present writing, there are nine cans of chickpeas in my pantry.

Season chicken with salt and set aside. Heat a sauté pan on medium and add olive oil. Add chicken and sear until golden brown and turn over. After browning on both sides, remove chicken. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and carrot. Cook for about 5 minutes until onion becomes translucent. Add garlic and cook for 3 minutes. Add oregano, tomato, and chickpeas. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

From Michelin-starred restaurants to television screens across the globe, Gordon Ramsay's culinary credentials are undisputed. The renowned chef understands better than anyone the power of good ingredients, even if they are canned beans that you keep in your pantry, overlooked all along. Sure enough, it's none other than canned chickpeas that you will find in his Moroccan chicken traybake recipe. If you thought hummus and falafel were already the best uses for canned chickpeas, this dish is proof that they can always exceed expectations.

While the exact level varies depending on the type of lentil, the average cup contains nearly 18 grams of protein - making them the more protein-rich legume compared to chickpeas. In fact, lentils are typically made up of about 25% protein, which is the same composition as lean beef. They're also packed with iron, magnesium, and B vitamins. On top of all of that they contain fiber and, according to a 2017 study, are associated with lowering the risk of heart disease.

By roasting chickpeas, you can give them a hint of nuttiness necessary for a stand-in for pine nuts in pesto. Chickpeas provide creaminess and thickness.