But you need to know how and what to do with it.
What separates the beans, are there tastes. But all these
recipes can be made with any bean. Be creative and have fun.
One bean in question is the Garbanzo bean or "Chik Peas"
or "Lab Labee". It has many names for some reason, the
American market is confused on what to called, its simply
because some categorize it as a "pea" and some as a "bean".
I say forget everything and just start cooking.
Here are few recipes that i remember grandma making them.
Prepared beans:
Start out with soaking 2 cups of dry beans soaking in
water for 24 hours, Changing the water twice at least.
Note that the beans will triple its amount in size.
Boil with fresh water and 1 tsp of salt for 1 hour, drain
and set aside.
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Garbanzo bean salad: what you need
2 cup prepared beans
1 lemon squeezed
1/2 tsp cracked pepper, salt, dry mint
1 clove garlic minced
4 tbs olive oil
Combine all ingredients in a bowl, mix well let rest at room
temperature for 2 hours before serving. Variation on this
salad can be done by adding diced cucumbers or diced red
and green bell peppers or for a scrumptious tasting salad
add anchovies.
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Garbanzo bean soup 1: what you need
3 cups prepared beans
1 medium onion, tomato chopped
1/2 tsp curry, dry mint, salt, cracked pepper
1/2 lemon juice
1 6oz can tomato paste
3 cans of chicken stock
4 tbs olive oil
In a pot, add oil, add chopped onions, tomato's, salt, pepper,
curry and the mint. Saute for 5 minutes on low heat. This is
done to release the trapped aromas and flavors. Add the beans
and saute for 5 minutes more. Add tomato paste and the stock
and gently stir for 1 minutes, let simmer for 30 minutes.
Turn off heat, add lemon juice, stir and let rest for 10 minutes
before serving.
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Garbanzo bean soup 2: what you need
3 cups prepared beans
3 cans of chicken stock or beef stock
6 cloves of garlic sliced (1/4 cup total)
1 tsp dry parsley
2 tbs olive oil
In a pot, add oil garlic and dry parsley, saute on low heat
for 3 minutes. Add beans and stock and simmer for 20 minutes
and serve. You can add chunks of cooked chicken meat or
sliced chunks roast beef for a delicious twist.
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the famous HUMUS dip: what you need
3 cups prepared beans
1/4 cup tahini
(sesame seed butter, you can find it at a health store)
4 tbs olive oil
2 cloves of garlic crushed
1/2 lemon juiced
In a food processor, add all the ingredient's and proses until
milk shake consistency, if too thick add 2 tbs of water.
Let rest at room temperature. Serving suggestions:
Spread the humus 1/2 inch thick on a dinner plate, garnish with
fine chopped Italian parsley, chopped black olives and sprinkle
of paprika. Serve with chunks of Italian bread or toasted pita
wedges. YUMMMMEEEE
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Falafel (deep fried garbanzos): what you need
3 cups prepared beans
1/2 cup fine chopped Italian parsley
4 cloves garlic chopped
1 tsp ground cumin, powdered onion and cracked pepper
1/2 tsp salt and baking powder
1/2 cup of plain dry fine bread crumbs
Falafel is used in the middle eastern country's as an
alternative to meat. VEGGIE burger. Its very tasty, aromatic
and versatile in many ways. Proses all ingredients except
the bread crumbs. The mixture should be dry, if you notice
a bit of wet texture add bread crumbs, table spoon at a time
till firm. Let rest (for the flavors to blend) about an hour.
In a medium deep frying dish on high flame, add 2 cups of (any)
oil. Note the oil must be hot in order for the falafel to
form a crust. Shape the mixture into a Pattie shape or ball
and fry till dark golden brown, about 6 to 10 minutes. Transfer to
a dish lined with paper towel for to drain and let it cool.
Traditionally it is served in a pita bread like a sandwich garnished
with sliced tomato's, onions, lettuce and parsley. Topped it with yogurt
and crushed garlic. But you can serve it anyway you like it.
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Rice and Chiks (beryani): what you need
2 cups prepared garbanzo beans
2 cups white chicken chunks
4 cups prepared white rice
6 small hard boiled eggs
1 tbs curry
1 tsp cracked pepper
2 cups roasted cubed potato's (1/2 inch cut)
4 tbs olive oil
OK this is really easy, because its all in one dish meal.
My aunt Victoria used to make this dish. One of my favorites.
In a pot, add oil, beans, potato, eggs, chicken chunks, pepper
curry and a pinch of salt, do not add the rice yet.
Saute on medium heat, for 15 minutes, this way everything
get coated. If you notice the mix is too dry, add 4 tbs of
water. Now add the rice and gently mix and turn the heat
on very low and let simmer for 15 minutes. Let cool before
serving. Great with salad or taboula.
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roasted Lab Labee: what you need
4 cups prepared beans
Turn the oven to 300, you are gonna use the broiler for this.
Spread the beans evenly on large cookie sheet pan and place
under the broiler for 30 minutes. Take out and mix well and
repeat cooking for another 30 minutes. If the beans are still
soft, repeat cooking for 30 minutes more. They should be dark
yellow and toasty. They are very tasty.
ENJOY. SGM-B