A nourishing and tasty storehouse of vitamins: chickpeas, the secrets of their use in cooking, cosmetology and folk medicine

Chickpeas are a leguminous crop. Also known as chickpeas or chickpeas. The second name appeared due to its external resemblance to a ram's head. Despite the fact that in Russia its distribution chickpeas received recently, its beneficial properties and many ways to use it are known.

How are chickpeas different from regular peas?

Ordinary peas are different from chickpeas not only the name - there are other differences:

• it is larger in size;
• regular peas contain more protein;
• Turkish peas are characterized by a higher quality composition;
• the taste contains nutty notes;
• the surface is not smooth, but lumpy.

The most popular chickpea varieties

There are several varieties of chickpeas. The most popular include: State Farm, Yubileiny, Krasnokutsky, Budzhak.

The benefits and harms of chickpeas

How is this useful? peas? We will answer this question further.

The benefits of chickpeas for the body

For the female body it is a storehouse of useful substances.The high iron content allows you to cope with menstrual anemia, and the content of B vitamins helps normalize mood swings during this period.

It has been scientifically proven that lamb peas enhance lactation during the feeding period. In addition, thanks to its consumption, you can reduce excess weight: the calorie content of boiled chickpeas is only 129 kilocalories.

For a growing child's body, it is important to eat foods that will contribute to the proper development of the child. Turkish peas are one of these products.

It is introduced into the child’s diet gradually. After 1.5 years, they begin to give it to the baby in the form of purees or pureed soups. Proper consumption of chickpeas will contribute to the harmonious development of the child's body.

This is a particularly useful product for men. Its positive effect on prostate health and increased potency has been scientifically proven.

Turkish peas normalize metabolism and reduce blood sugar levels, cleans blood vessels.

Note! The calorie content is high, but nutritionists recommend using it when losing weight, since this product contains a lot of fiber, which promotes rapid saturation and a long-term lack of hunger.

Harmful properties of Turkish peas

The disadvantages of the product include:

• the ability to cause increased gas formation;
• may cause blood to thicken;
• harms an unhealthy bladder.

Contraindications

In the following cases, the use of the product is prohibited:

• children and old age;
• bladder diseases;
• increased stomach acidity;
• allergies, individual intolerance;
• gout;
• kidney diseases.

Interesting. If among all the warning factors only gas formation scares you, then there is a little secret. When you soak the peas, add a spoonful of baking soda.

Calories and nutritional value

Turkish peas are a high-calorie product. 100 g of product contains 364 kcal and the percentage of substances in the daily norm: 27% protein, 7% fat, 20% carbohydrates.

High-quality vegetable protein is comparable in nutritional value to poultry protein. It contains more than 80 types of microelements and vitamins, a high percentage of fiber, so it is often used in dietary and balanced nutrition.

Use in cooking

Turkish peas are widely used in Russian cuisine.

How to cook chickpeas?

Turkish peas must be soaked before cooking. The process is long, at least six hours. It's better to leave it overnight. If you decide to soak the beans during the day, you can change the water a couple of times.

To cook, take one part peas and four parts water. As soon as the water boils, reduce the heat and simmer for about an hour. Add salt at the very end of cooking.

Reference. The readiness of peas is determined by the peeling of the shell.

How to cook chickpeas with lamb?

Ingredients:

• 600 g meat;
• 3 cloves garlic;
• one onion;
• 200 g boiled peas;
• meat broth;
• olive oil;
• spices and herbs to taste;
• salt.

Cooking method:

1. Cut the meat into cubes or bars.
2. Add salt, spices, herbs, garlic and two tablespoons of oil.
3. Stir and leave for 40-60 minutes at room temperature.
4. After the time has passed, fry the meat in a frying pan.
5. Add chopped onion.
6. Pour in meat broth.
7. Bring to a boil, cover with a lid, reduce heat.
8. Simmer for an hour.
9. Next add the boiled chickpeas.
10. Stir, cook for 15 minutes.
11. Garnish with herbs if desired.

How to make chickpea hummus

Ingredients:

• 300 g beans;
• 1 clove of garlic;
• olive oil;
• 0.5 tsp cumin;
• salt;
• lemon juice;
• sesame seeds – 50 g.

Cooking method:

1. Soak the beans in cold water for 8-10 hours.
2. Fill with new water and put on fire. Cook for two hours without salt.
3. Drain the water, but do not throw it away.
4. Heat the cumin in a frying pan without oil for a couple of minutes.
5. Grind the cumin.
6. Also fry the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan until golden brown.
7. Cool and chop the sesame seeds.
8. Grind sesame powder and garlic in a blender. Add salt and oil.
9. Add some of the cooked chickpeas to the blender.
10. Gradually pour in the broth (the one left after boiling the chickpeas).
11. Add the chickpeas again, then the broth again.
12. Add a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice and more salt.
13. You can taste it.
14. If you like the taste and the consistency is puree, then place it on a large plate.
15. Make a well in the middle and pour in olive oil.
16. Pine or walnuts, herbs, and vegetables are used as decoration.

How to make delicious chickpeas with meat in a slow cooker

What will you need?

• 400 g legumes;
• 500 g meat;
• 2 tbsp. l. tomato paste;
• salt;
• Bay leaf;
• one onion;
• two carrots;
• vegetable oil;
• water.

How to cook:

1. Soak the peas overnight.
2. Chop onions and carrots as you like. Fry the vegetables in a slow cooker (with added oil) on the “fry” setting until half cooked.
3. Cut the meat into small pieces and add to the vegetables.
4. Without changing the mode, leave for 20 minutes.
5. Add chickpeas, water and tomato paste.
6. Set the “quenching” mode for 2.5 hours.

Chickpea cutlets

Ingredients:

• beans - 1 cup;
• one onion;
• 1 clove of garlic;
• salt;
• two eggs;
• cumin;
• black pepper (peas);
• sunflower oil.

Cooking method:

1. Soak the peas for 10-12 hours.
2. Grind to puree using a blender.
3. Chop the onion and garlic.
4. Add eggs, salt and spices.
5. Form cutlets.
6. Fry on both sides until golden brown.

Chickpeas with vegetables

What will you need?

• 300 g beans;
• 5 tomatoes;
• 1 bell pepper;
• 4 cloves of garlic;
• 1 onion;
• tomato paste;
• pepper;
• salt;
• greenery.

How to cook:

1. Soak the beans for 8-10 hours.
2. Cook until done.
3. Grate the carrots and finely chop the remaining vegetables.
4. Fry the onion.
5. Add the remaining vegetables and tomato paste (1 tbsp) to the onion.
6. Add chickpeas.
7. Add salt and pepper and garnish with herbs on top.

Falafel

Ingredients:

• 150 g dry chickpeas;
• breadcrumbs;
• greenery;
• bulb;
• turmeric;
• cumin;
• mustard beans;
• dry garlic.

Cooking method:

1. Soak the beans overnight.
2. Grind the chickpeas (with a blender).
3. Chop the onion and any greens. Add chopped greens to chickpeas. Mix again with a blender.
4. Add all the spices at once.
5. Form into small balls.
6. Roll the finished ball in breadcrumbs.
7. Fry in oil until golden brown.

The dish turns out to be unusual: look how it looks in the photo when finished.

Chickpea soup

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken;
• 300 g chickpeas;
• 350 g onions;
• 200 g carrots:
• salt;
• pepper;
• turmeric;
• caraway.

Cooking method:

1. Pre-soak the beans for 10 hours.
2. Cut the chicken into small pieces. Fry.
3. Pour oil into the bottom of the pan, place the chopped onion and grated carrots.
4. Place the fried meat on top.
5. Next add the swollen chickpeas.
6. Fill everything with water.
7. Cover with a lid and simmer for an hour.
8. Ten minutes before cooking, add all the spices, including salt.

How and why chickpeas are sprouted

On the first day, soak in a large amount of water (1:5) and put in a dark place. After 12 hours, the water is drained, the chickpeas are dried on a cloth and filled with water again. At this stage, the water only covers the layer of peas. Place the vessel in a warm place.

After 12 hours, rinse and repeat. You may notice the appearance of sprouts. The procedure is repeated for three days. The sprouts can then be used for food.

Turkish peas are sprouted to obtain maximum nutrients. Sprouted beans are good for diabetes.

Benefits and composition of sprouted chickpeas

The composition of sprouted chickpeas is identical to that of regular chickpeas. But the content of vitamins B and C doubles. This means that the benefits for the body are twice as great.

Sprouted chickpeas contain more iron and magnesium, which is good for the heart and blood vessel walls. This is especially important for pregnant women.

Sprouted beans restore the intestinal microflora well, which is important after food poisoning or taking antibiotics.

What to cook from sprouted chickpeas

Sprouted chickpeas can be consumed in their pure form with the addition of oil. If such food does not excite your appetite, add garlic and unrefined oil.

Sprouted beans will be appropriate in any vegetable salad.

Use in cosmetology

Most vegetables, fruits and herbs are used in cosmetology. Chickpeas are rich in antioxidants, which are sources of youth and beauty.

Pea and chickpea face masks

A daily face mask can be easily prepared from 0.5 cup of beans and 0.5 cup of water.

Cooking method:

1. Soak the chickpeas overnight if you make the mask in the morning. If you prefer to treat your skin before bed, soak the chickpeas in the morning.
2. Add water.
3. Grind in a blender until pureed.
4. Apply to face and neck for fifteen minutes.

The mask is suitable for frequent use.

The next option is suitable for use once a week.

Ingredients:

• 0.5 cups chickpeas;
• 0.5 glasses of water;
• 0.5 tsp lemon juice;
• 1 tsp honey

The preparation method is identical to the previous one. Honey and lemon juice are added after water.

This mask cleanses and nourishes the skin.

Important! If you are allergic to honey, replace it with sour cream.

The healing properties of chickpeas and treatment recipes

Beans are good for constipation and excess weight. You can prepare a healthy decoction as follows:

• pour 1.5 cups of water 2.5 tbsp. chickpeas;
• bring to a boil, cook for 20 minutes;
• let it brew for at least 30 minutes;
• strain;
• take 50 ml before meals.

This decoction is also useful for restoring intestinal function after poisoning.

Not only the decoction is useful, but also chickpea puree. How to cook:

• Pour 0.5 cups of chickpeas with cold water and leave overnight;
• In the morning, grind the beans in a blender until pureed;
• do not add salt;
• eat 3-4 spoons a day.

This puree will help give the body strength and endurance. During the cold season, Turkish pea porridge will boost your immunity.

Growing chickpeas at home

Chickpea grains can be purchased at a store with seeds and seedlings. The growing area should be well lit. Make parallel depressions in the ground no more than 7 cm deep. It is better to leave 25 centimeters between the holes.

Cover with soil and water generously. Abundant watering is needed only at the initial stage. Chickpeas are plants that easily tolerate drought. After 10 days you will receive the first shoots.

If you planted chickpeas in May, the fruits will begin to set in August. Within a month, pods will form and there will be 1-2 peas inside. Maturity is determined in the same way as in ordinary peas. Shake the pod: if the grains roll freely, you can pick them.

Let's sum it up

Chickpeas differ from ordinary peas in taste, fruit shape, color and better composition. Turkish peas will help with high sugar, menstrual pain, loss of strength, and decreased potency. Chickpeas are recommended for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Sprouted chickpeas contain a large amount of iron and magnesium, which has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and heart function. Turkish peas are widely used in cooking and cosmetology. Despite the fact that chickpeas are not so widespread in Russia, it is very easy to grow them in your summer cottage.

We wish you health, a rich harvest and delicious dishes!