4 Chickpea Recipes to Yield Maximum Protein

Chickpeas have a great amount of protein which is necessary for bone, muscle and skin health. The iron, calcium, and other nutrients contribute to healthy bones and strength. People who prefer using canned or ready to eat chickpea should check its sodium levels. The fiber, potassium, magnesium, selenium in chickpeas supports heart health and fiber lowers cholesterol levels in the blood.

While chickpeas can also help in managing weight, here are a few recipes which you can have a peek-a-boo at to enhance your taste if you got bored from regular chickpea recipes:

• Hummus

A bowlful of creamy hummus is just as easy to make and is loved by everyone. This thing of beauty we just can’t resist is a quick version of chickpeas. It makes a perfect filling for a pitta stuffed with falafel or an essential part of a party snack.

Method: Puree the avocado, chickpeas, garlic, chili flakes, and lime juice together, and season to taste. Add salt to taste. Top the hummus with the coriander leaves and a few more chili flakes, and serve with the carrot sticks garnished with pepper powder. It can be a great dinner option or a great take-to-work lunch option.

• Chickpea with poached eggs

Give yourself a treat and try this wondrous recipe. The great thing about a hash is that it’s a delicious combo of whatever ingredients you have. Bring this dish to life with the sprinkling of a few choice spices and tempting runny yolk.

Method: Heat the oil in a non-stick pan, add the garlic, pepper, chili and the spring onions whites, and fry for 5 minutes over a medium-high flame. Meanwhile, put another large pan of water on to boil. Add the spices, tomatoes, most of the coriander, and the chickpeas to the sauté pan and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Stir in the liquid from the chickpeas to moisten everything, and leave on low heat.

Once the water is boiling, crack in your eggs and poach for 2 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon. Stir the spring onion tops into the chickpeas, then very lightly crush a few of the chickpeas with a spoon. Spoon the chickpea mixture onto plates, garnish with the reserved coriander and top with the eggs.

• Chickpea fajita

Give your regular meal a Mexican twist with these spiced chickpea fajitas. This special treat has it all – crispy chickpeas, creamy guacamole and a quick pickled salsa for a tangy topping. Wrap up your breakfast in our healthy roasted chickpea wraps stuffed with avocado, roasted red pepper and crunchy salad. Watch the family wolf down this wonderful filling veggie DIY dinner.

Method: Heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line a baking tray with foil. Drain the water from soaked chickpeas, pat dry and tip onto the prepared baking tray. Pour in some oil and paprika, toss to coat, then roast for 20-25 minutes until browned and crisp, shaking halfway through cooking.

Meanwhile, put the tomatoes and onion in a small bowl with the vinegar and set aside to pickle. Put the avocado in another bowl and mash with a fork, add the lime juice and season well. Add harissa or red chili-tomato sauce to the soured cream and set aside until ready to serve. Heat a griddle pan and add the tortillas, one at a time, making each side golden. Place everything on the table and build the fajitas: spread a little of the harissa cream over the tortilla, top with roasted chickpeas, guacamole, pickled salsa, and coriander chutney. Serve with baked potato wedges.

• Chickpea bake

Need a mess-free, crowd-pleasing meal you can serve with standard kitchen staples? This budget-friendly tomato & chickpea bake gives you four of your 5-a-day in one dish. You can even try vegan-friendly chickpea summer vegetable stew for a simple, healthy dinner.

Method: Heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Fry onion in the oil in a large pan for about 5 minutes until softened and lightly colored. Add the garlic, tomatoes, ½ cup of water, 1 teaspoon oregano, and a little pepper. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Add the cherry tomatoes and chickpeas for the final 2 minutes of cooking. Spoon into a baking dish. Brush the bread with a little oil. Mix remaining oregano then sprinkle over the bread. Place the bread on top of the chickpea mix, then bake for 15 to 20 minutes until crisp and golden. Sprinkle the basil over the top and serve with green vegetables or a salad on the side.

Over to you
This lovely nutritious legume can be one of the favourite saviors. It’s budget-friendly, easy to cook, high in protein, and can be transformed into a myriad of marvelous delicacies. From brilliant burgers for a casual Do-It-Yourself dinner to a quick, silky hummus for a feast, there’s a chickpea recipe for every occasion.