Roasted chickpeas are perfect for snacking—and you can toss them with different seasonings to suit anyone’s tastes. Crunchy, healthy, and satisfying, they’re a great alternative to popcorn! And they have less fat than toasted nuts. Grab a bag to-go and hit the boardwalk or the trails.
Per serving:
Place dried chickpeas in large colander. Sort through them and remove any tiny pebbles or other debris. Rinse under cold running water and place in large, heavy saucepan with three times their volume of cold water. Bring to a gentle boil. Then remove saucepan from heat and let beans soak uncovered for no more than 2 hours. Soaking beans for too long causes them to ferment, which affects flavour and digestibility.
Once beans have soaked for the recommended time, drain well and return to large saucepan. Cover with several inches of cold water and bring to a boil. Gently boil for 1 hour, or until theyu2019re still slightly firm but have the desired tenderness. Drain and spread out on a couple of baking sheets lined with kitchen towels.
Thoroughly blot dry with paper towels or kitchen cloths. (You want them to be fully dried or they will not crisp properly during baking.) Transfer to large bowl and rub chickpeas with olive oil. Stir in salt and evenly divide between 2 greased baking sheets. Spread each out in even layers.
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Place baking sheets in oven and bake for 40 minutes, until golden, dry, and crispy, shaking pans every 10 minutes and rotating halfway through baking.
When chickpeas are done, remove from oven. Scoop out 1 cup (250 mL) at a time and toss with seasonings of your choice while chickpeas are still warm.
Ever thought about making burgers as an appetizer or as a potluck meal for friends and family? Try making your favourite burger into bite-sized portions. They might be small in size, but they won’t be small in flavour. These burgers also pair well with a Greek salad for a delicious mid-week lunch or dinner. Fresh is best Squeeze fresh lemon on patties while cooking to give them the fresh zing of citrus.
What worldwide vacation is complete without a stop in Italy? Dad won’t miss the meat in this flavourful mushroom alternative complete with Italian spices and a zesty vegetable tapenade. Portobellos have a uniquely “meaty” texture and act as a sponge to lock in loads of flavour. This meaty plant-based burger is sure to become a favourite—even with any meat-lovers in your life. Custom-made! Don’t be afraid to customize your burger buns to fit your patties. If your bun’s too big, trim off excess and save the trimmed bits of bread, but don’t discard. Instead, cut into small cubes; drizzle with some olive oil, sea salt, and seasonings of choice; bake at 350 F (180 C) for 10 to 15 minutes, and you’ll have delicious homemade croutons for use in soups and salads throughout the week.
Next stop, Asia! This shrimp burger combines classic Asian flavours with unique toppings for rich umami flavour with the saltiness of the ocean. Whether served on a bun or over rice in a more traditional Asian-style meal, try some unique miso yogurt or wasabi mayo dressing for a fabulous flavour bomb. Keep those burgers juicy Place raw patties on a plate or tray, and cover and freeze or refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to keep them together and to lock in moisture.
While on your burger journey, visit Jamaica, where you’ll find the spicy jerk flavours native to this beautiful island. Maple syrup adds a unique, sticky sweetness, while fresh lime juice highlights the fresh, tangy flavours of the Caribbean. Try making your own jerk seasoning or purchase store-bought for an easy shortcut.