You know legumes are good for you. But many people don’t know how to choose, prepare and store dried chick peas. Here’s how you can always have some on hand to add to salads, soups and stews:
- Purchase a pack of dried chick peas; either in a packet from the supermarket, or in bulk from a health food store.
- Rinse in a colander, and soak overnight in plenty of water (they will swell to twice their original size)
- Rinse again, and transfer to a pot of cold water with a little salt.
- Bring to the boil, simmer for an hour. Taste test: A cooked chick pea is still firm but not crunchy.
- Drain and cool.
- Fill ‘portion size’ containers and transfer to your freezer. About half a cup is an average portion size.
- When you need chick peas just remove from the freezer and thaw. I usually transfer a container from the freezer to the fridge the night before, when I’m planning the next day’s meals.
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