Wednesday Group 2When it comes to the diet of a college student, the stereotypical image that comes to mind is that of a cardboard cup of ramen at 2:00 am in between cramming for exams. Although college life may not be congruent with a life of luxury dining experiences, that doesn’t mean you have to starve, break the bank, or miss out on key nutrients your body and brain need to make it through that early morning chemistry lecture.
A can of chickpeas may not look like much but the possibilities are endless. At 25 grams of protein, 22 grams of fiber, 8 essential amino acids, and endless recipe possibilities all for less than a dollar per can, chickpeas are ridiculously overlooked. As a plant-based protein, chickpea cultivation is significantly more sustainable than beef and even many crops, as chickpea plants don’t require synthetic fertilizer, need less water, can be grown without harmful insecticides, and are resilient to environmental changes.
But most important of all, chickpeas are absolutely delicious as a meal, snack or even dessert. Falafel, crispy chickpeas, and aquafaba whipped cream are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the things you can make with chickpeas, but these recipes certainly won’t disappoint.
Cost Breakdown
| Ingredients | Amount needed for recipe | Unit cost of Ingredient | Recipe ingredient cost |
| Chickpeas | 15 oz | $1.28 | $1.28 |
| Shallots | 1/3 cup | $1.78 | $1.78 |
| Garlic cloves | 3 | $1.54 | $1.71 |
| Cilantro | 1/2 cup | $0.57 | $0.51 |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon | $4.22 | $0.42 |
| Cumin | 1/4 teaspoon | $2.52 | $0.10 |
| Lemon Zest | 1 teaspoon | $0.68 | $0.05 |
| Coriander | 1/4 teaspoon | $4.36 | $0.10 |
| Cayenne pepper | 1/8 teaspoon | $3.77 | $0.05 |
| Oat flour | 4 tablespoons | $10.98 | $1.50 |
| Total recipe cost | $31.70 | $7.50 | |
| Cost per serving | $5.28 | $1.25 |
Chickpeas
Description
A healthy, earthy and aromatic recipe. These falafel balls are full of flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prehead oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grase a sheet pan with olive oil.
- In a food processor, add chickpeas, shallot, garlic, cilantro, salt, cumin, coriander, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, and oat flour. Pulse until course and uniform with some texture. The mixture should be sticky and holding together.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of mixture out and form into patties. You should get 12 or 13 small patties. Place on baking sheet.
- Bake 10-12 minutes on the first side then flip and bake for another 10-12 minutes. They should be lightly browned.
Notes
- Pair with tzaiki sauce, pita, or pickled onions.
Notes
The options don’t stop at falafel! For an easy snack, try roasted crispy chickpeas. https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/roasted-chickpeas/ For a dairy free whipped cream or eggwhite alternative, try aquafaba! https://jackienewgent.com/vanilla-aquafaba-whipped-cream/
