Roasted Chickpeas with a Kick

Help!  I can't stop eating these things.  I'm not even kidding - they're totally addictive!  Why have I waited so long to try them?   Feel free to increase, decrease, or omit the cayenne to suit your taste.

Start by preheating the oven to 400F.  Rinse and drain the canned chickpeas, then dry them well with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.  Place them o a rimmed half sheet pan and give the pan a shake to spread them out a bit.  Pop in the hot oven for 15 minutes, then give the chickpeas a toss and return to the oven for another 15 minutes.

Time to mix up the flavorings.  Whisk together extra virgin olive oil (a good, fruity one), garlic salt, and cayenne pepper. 

This teeny-tiny whisk makes me happy. 

After the chickpeas have been in the oven for 30 minutes, drizzle the olive oil mixture over them and toss well to coat.  Put them back in the oven for another 15 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cool before crunching and munching on them.   

I’m telling you, make extra because they’re going to disappear fast!  But in the event you should find yourself with leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature.   

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• half sheet pan https://amzn.to/3GvYdek

• extra virgin olive oil https://amzn.to/3ozJFnS

• canned chickpeas / garbanzo beans https://amzn.to/3qWUqEI

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Roasted Chickpeas with a Kick

makes 2 cups

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and dried

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. Dry rinsed chickpeas well and place on a rimmed half sheet pan.

3. Roast in the center of preheated oven for 15 minutes; toss chickpeas and roast another 15 minutes.

4. Combine olive oil, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper; drizzle over chickpeas and return to oven for 15 minutes.

5. Remove from oven and cool completely before serving.

Note

• To make the chickpeas extra crispy, roast them for 15 minutes longer than stated in the recipe (for a grand total of 60 minutes), but watch them carefully so they don't burn.

Zoodles with Beet Pesto

I got a spiralizer for Christmas and I have to say, I'm in love with it.  Zucchini noodles (zoodles) are so much fun to make (and eat)... and I love all the interesting ways there are to serve them.  Today I covered raw zucchini noodles with a stunning pink pesto made with garlic, beets, and almond meal.  You don't really taste the beets in this pesto, but you do taste a lot of garlic.  Actually, the pesto was so delicious, I found myself blissfully devouring every last bit that I could scrape out of the blender jar.  This recipe is a keeper for sure!   

Start by spiralizing 2 zucchini. I promise, once you start cranking out the zoodles, you'll be hooked.

The beet pesto ingredients are placed in a food processor or vitamix and whirred together.  Simple! 

These zoodles are served at room temperature so pour the beet pesto on the zoodles and combine.  That's it - you're about 10 minutes away from having a garlic flavor bomb explode in your mouth.  

Oh my, I wish you could taste this amazing dish.  I really hope you'll give it a try soon.

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• spiralizer https://amzn.to/3rAiUS4

• vitamix https://amzn.to/3XAIGnO

• food processor https://amzn.to/434gta2

• almond meal https://amzn.to/43Tbha9

• disposable gloves https://amzn.to/44mJaQA

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Zoodles with Beet Pesto

makes 6 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchini, washed

• 1 cup cooked red beets, peeled

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1/4 cup almond flour (or meal), sifted

• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 2 tablespoons warm water

• 2 cloves garlic, peeled

• kosher salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Spiralize zucchini into spaghetti-like zoodles; set aside.

2. In a food processor or vitamix blender, blend together the cooked beets, olive oil, almond meal, red wine vinegar, water, and garlic.

3. Taste carefully and add kosher salt and pepper to taste; stir well.

4. Pour beet pesto over raw zucchini zoodles and serve immediately.

Note

• The pesto can be made ahead of time, but don't toss with the zoodles until just before serving (doing so will make the sauce watery). 

To Cook Beets

1. Trim stems and leaves. 

2. Cover beets with water and boil for 50-60 minutes or until a knife easily pierces all the way through (be sure beets stay completely submerged). 

3. Remove beets from water.  When cool enough to handle, use a paper towel to remove and discard skin.  Note: Wear disposable gloves to keep your hands from getting stained. 

inspired by heatherchristo.com