Chick Peas Please!

My daughter is a chick-pea fanatic. As a whole food,  plant based vegan, they are a big part of her diet. This is how she prepares them:

Rinse a bag of chick peas in a colander, then soak in a large bowl of water for 24 hours. (They will expand, so you may have to add more water at some point to keep them covered.) Drain peas, rinse and simmer in a pot of water for about 60 mins- add juice of one lemon and salt to taste, simmer 30 more minutes or until soft but firm. Drain, cool and store.

They are now ready to add to salads or simply eat out of the bag! They are SOO yummy. You can also toss them in a bit of olive oil and spices and roast in oven for additional flavor.

“As a rich source of vitamins, minerals and fiber, chickpeas may offer a variety of health benefits, such as improving digestion, aiding weight management and reducing the risk of several diseases. Additionally, chickpeas are high in protein and make an excellent replacement for meat in vegetarian and vegan diets.” -Healthline.com

A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving provides the following nutrients:

• Calories: 46
• Carbs: 8 grams
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Protein: 3 grams
• Folate: 12% of the RDI
• Iron: 4% of the RDI
• Phosphorus: 5% of the RDI
• Copper: 5% of the RDI
• Manganese: 14% of the RDI