How to Cook Chickpeas

Name: How to Cook Chickpeas
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 200 grams of dry chickpeas; Water - enough to cover the chickpeas; Salt to taste; Optional: a bay leaf

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1 hours y 30 minutes

Calories: 364

Easy

2 people

Today we're teaching you how to Cook Chickpeas, as they are one of the most versatile and nutritious ingredients in the kitchen. With a soft texture and mild flavor, chickpeas are a key ingredient in many international cuisines and have been used for centuries in Mediterranean, African, and Asian gastronomy.

Chickpeas date back to antiquity, with remnants found in archaeological excavations in Turkey, Israel, and Syria dating back over 7,000 years. During the Middle Ages, chickpeas were used in many Mediterranean recipes, including hummus and falafel dishes, which are still very popular today. They are also a key ingredient in Indian cuisine, where they are used in the famous Chana Masala dish and many other delicious recipes.

When preparing chickpeas, it's important to keep in mind some details that we leave at the end of the article. Don't miss them!

By following the simple steps in our recipe, you can cook perfectly soft and delicious chickpeas, ready to enjoy in your favorite recipes.

Ingredients for How to Cook Chickpeas for 2 people

200 grams of dry chickpeas
Water - enough to cover the chickpeas
Salt to taste
Optional: a bay leaf

How to make the recipe How to Cook Chickpeas

The first thing to do is to soak the chickpeas for at least 8 hours or overnight. This will soften them and make them cook faster. To do this, put the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them with cold water.
Once the 8 hours have passed, it's time to cook the chickpeas. Rinse the chickpeas and discard the water in which they soaked.
Place the chickpeas in the large pot and cover with enough water so that the chickpeas are submerged. Add a bay leaf. .
Put the pot on high heat until the water starts to boil. Then, lower the heat to medium-low so that the chickpeas simmer.
Cook the chickpeas for about 1 hour and 30 minutes or until they are tender. To check if the chickpeas are ready, take one out of the pot and taste it. It should be soft but it shpuld not crumble. If necessary, continue cooking for a few more minutes.
Once the chickpeas are cooked, turn off the heat and let them cool in the pot for a few minutes.
After a few minutes, use the colander to drain the chickpeas and remove the bay leaf.
The cooked chickpeas are ready to be used in your favorite recipes. You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days or freeze them for later use.

Notes and Tips

Choose quality bones: Make sure to buy high-quality bones, preferably with marrow, to get the maximum flavor and nutrients in your broth. But most importantly, you should buy organic and from animals that have been pasture-fed and free-range. From these bones, substances such as collagen and minerals are extracted that you are then going to eat. So the better quality they have, the better they will be for your health.

Add apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar helps to extract nutrients from the bones and vegetables, so it's important to add it to the recipe.

Simmer: For a tasty and nutritious broth, it's important to simmer for at least two hours. In this way, all the nutrients will be extracted and a deep, delicious flavor will develop.

Strain the broth: Be sure to strain the broth after cooking to remove any solid remnants and obtain a clean and appetizing broth.

Taste before seasoning: Before adding salt and pepper, taste the broth to make sure the flavor is perfect and doesn't need more seasoning.

Freeze leftovers: If you have leftover broth, you can freeze it in individual portions to have it on hand when you need it. It will last in the refrigerator for about 5 or 6 days and in the freezer for approximately 1 month.