Tips and Tricks: Chickpeas

With a basic food like chickpeas, it’s easy to fall into a rut of cooking the same thing over and over again. The options truly are endless though! Whether you follow a totally vegan diet, eat more plant based, or you’re just appreciative of these little beans, we guarantee there are more ways to prepare chickpeas than you can imagine. Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks for delightful garbanzo beans:

• As college students we know how tough it is to stretch a tight budget, but that doesn’t mean ramen has to be the only food available to you. Most college cafeterias have a salad bar, which is a great resource for healthy vegetables. These salad bars often have garbanzo beans, so pick some up when you grab lunch and have a protein packed dinner!
• Use roasted chickpeas as a salad topping! It has the crunchy texture of croutons without the empty carbs, and it adds protein to your salad.  
• In addition to roasting chickpeas, you can add them to soups, toss them with pasta, eat them in sandwiches, blend them into hummus, cook them on the stove with veggies…. the list goes on and on!
• Some people feel like they should rinse beans before cooking with them, but there’s no need! The liquid has nutrients that you don’t want to lose. Instead, drain the liquid into a container and save it to use later.
• You’re probably wondering what to do with this liquid… It’s usually called aquafaba (bean water) in recipes and it’s super versatile. Aquafaba acts like egg whites, so whip it up! It can be used in:
  • Meringues 
  • Some cake recipes
  • Mousse
  • Vegan mayo
  • And more!
• Remember, aquafaba is a free ingredient when you buy a can of chickpeas so make sure to save it and make the most of it!

❤ Juliana and Sarah