Thread: just wanted to share tonight's dinner with you guys..

Yes chickpeas are a very awesome and diverse food. Beets on the other hand...sorry but my mother ruined them for me with the pickled variety. I get an almost instant gag reflex when I even smell them now. I went on one of those juice cleanse diets and one of the juices I had to drink was mostly beet. I got both the red and the gold color thinking maybe some variety would help. It did not. Also the beet juice dyed my #1's and #2's red. Well my urine was more orange but like a burnt orange.

What's the best way to cook chickpeas? I got some because I read they are good for you, but didn't know the best way to use them.

Originally Posted by KingChoss

What's the best way to cook chickpeas? I got some because I read they are good for you, but didn't know the best way to use them.

When cooking beans, I find it hard to beat a pressure cooker.

Soak them overnight in water, otherwise they won't cook properly. Or just take the cheater route like I do and buy the canned ones Canned chickpeas are usually labelled by their other name, garbanzo beans.

I'll look for those..lol

And the best way to use them I find is in salads, either mixed greens or a nice pasta salad, that's how I like them!

Originally Posted by KingChoss

What's the best way to cook chickpeas? I got some because I read they are good for you, but didn't know the best way to use them.

I like mine dry and raw. Make a small bag. [Old rear pockets from jeans work well.] Fill with beans and sew shut. Open your mouth and enjoy!

Originally Posted by KingChoss

What's the best way to cook chickpeas? I got some because I read they are good for you, but didn't know the best way to use them.

The cans are fairly good, but cooking them yourself I think makes it a bit tastier. It's pretty simple and only takes time, but minimal work. Soak them for several hours (overnight is easy) use a lot of water because they'll expand a lot, something like 3x their original space. Then boil them for about hour and a half - taste and see if they need more time. Sometimes I cut an onion and carrot to boil with them for the flavor of those veggies (and the nutrition I guess).
Then I mix the chickpeas (not the liquid, though you could use a little bit of it - it kind of congeals when it cools) with diced tomatoes, scallions, may be red pepper, your choice of oil depending on the flavor you want (I usually use olive, sometimes sesame, or for neutral taste sunflower), something for acidity like lemon/lime juice or vinegar with light flavor e.g. rice or apple, and for herbs/spices I use cumin, fresh parsley or cilantro, and gate a bit of ginger.
A few of my friends always ask me to make that if we're going to have a picnic or something.

Hi Gents,

I have a quandary. The good lady wife has set me a challenge, I have to produce for her this evening for our Friday night romantic dinner, a vegetarian meal.

Now as anyone seeing my posts on here can work out, I don't deal with vegetables other than to keep the steak company lol. So I am at a loss for main course ideas. Does anyone have any good ones?

Thanks in advance.

Geek

Originally Posted by TheGeek

Hi Gents,

I have a quandary. The good lady wife has set me a challenge, I have to produce for her this evening for our Friday night romantic dinner, a vegetarian meal.

Now as anyone seeing my posts on here can work out, I don't deal with vegetables other than to keep the steak company lol. So I am at a loss for main course ideas. Does anyone have any good ones?

Thanks in advance.

Geek

Garlic mashed potatoes piled high with sauteed Mushrooms and squash(or leeks or asparagus) in olive oil and herbs.This can be a main course. Also a cucumber and sliced radish salad with a dressing of choice. followed with a rice pudding made with coconut milk. Just simmer cooked rice in sweetened coconut milk (add a cornstarch mixture for desired thickness)can be served warm or chilled. Cardomom or cinnamon are good spices for this and definitely add some vanilla.If adding extract then add in after the cooking process. Raisins and or crushed pistachios are nice additions as well to this. Have a nice fruity wine or even a fruit beer or cider with it. Will any of this work ??