Hearty and tasty storehouse of vitamins: chickpeas, the secrets of its use in cooking, cosmetology and folk medicine

Chickpea is a leguminous crop. Also known as chickpeas or mutton peas. The second name appeared due to the external resemblance to a ram's head. Despite the fact that in Russia its distribution chickpea received recently, its useful properties and a lot of applications are known.

How are chickpeas different from regular peas?

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

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

The most popular varieties of chickpea

There are several varieties of chickpeas. The most popular are: Sovkhozny, Yubileiny, Krasnokutsky, Budzhak.

The benefits and harms of chickpeas

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

The benefits of chickpeas for the body

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

It is scientifically proven that mutton peas enhance lactation during the feeding period. In addition, thanks to its use in food, 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 those foods that will contribute to the correct development of the child. Chickpeas are just such products.

They introduce it into the child's diet gradually. After 1.5 years, they begin to give it to the baby in the form of mashed potatoes or grated soups. The correct use of chickpeas in food will contribute to the harmonious development of the child's body.

This is a particularly healthy product for men. It has been scientifically proven to have a positive effect on prostate health and increase potency.

Turkish peas normalizes metabolism and lowers blood sugar levels, cleanses blood vessels.

Note! Calorie content is high, but nutritionists recommend using it when losing weight, since this product contains a lot of fiber, which contributes to quick satiety and a long absence of hunger.

Harmful properties of chickpeas

The disadvantages of the product include:

• the ability to cause increased gas formation;
• can lead to thickening of the blood;
• damages an unhealthy bladder.

Contraindications

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

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

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.

Calorie content and nutritional value

Chickpeas are high in calories. 100 g of the product contains 364 kcal and the percentage of substances in the daily rate: 27% protein, 7% fat, 20% carbohydrates.

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

Cooking applications

Turkish peas are widely used in Russian cuisine.

How to cook chickpeas?

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

For cooking, take one part peas and four parts water. Once the water boils, reduce heat and simmer for about an hour. Add salt at the very end of cooking.

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

How to cook chickpeas with lamb?

Ingredients:

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

Cooking method:

1. Cut the meat into cubes or cubes.
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 elapsed, fry the meat in a pan.
5. Add the chopped onion.
6. Pour over meat broth.
7. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat.
8. Simmer for an hour.
9. Then add the boiled chickpeas.
10. Stir, cook for 15 minutes.
11. Decorate 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, put on fire. Cook for two hours without salt.
3. Drain the water, but do not empty it.
4. In a frying pan without oil, ignite the cumin for a couple of minutes.
5. Crush the cumin.
6. Also fry the sesame seeds in a dry skillet until golden brown.
7. Cool and chop the sesame seeds.
8. Grind sesame powder, garlic in a blender. Add salt and oil.
9. Add some of the cooked chickpeas to a blender.
10. Gradually pour in the broth (the one left after cooking 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 the taste suits you, the consistency is puree, then put it on a large plate.
15. Make a depression in the middle, pour in olive oil.
16. Pine or walnuts, herbs, vegetables are used as decor.

How to make delicious chickpeas with meat in a slow cooker

What do you need?

• 400 g legumes;
• 500 g of 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. Cut the onions and carrots as you like. Fry vegetables in a slow cooker (with the addition of oil) on the "fry" mode until half cooked.
3. Cut the meat into small pieces and send it to the vegetables.
4. Without changing the mode, leave for 20 minutes.
5. Add the chickpeas, water and tomato paste.
6. Set the "extinguishing" mode for 2.5 hours.

Chickpea cutlets

Ingredients:

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

Cooking method:

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

Chickpeas with vegetables

What do you need?

• 300 g beans;
• 5 tomato;
• 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 tender.
3. Grate the carrots, finely chop the rest of the vegetables.
4. Fry the onions.
5. Add the remaining vegetables, tomato paste (1 tablespoon) to the onion.
6. Add chickpeas.
7. Add salt, pepper, garnish with herbs on top.

Falafel

Ingredients:

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

Cooking method:

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

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

Chickpea soup

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of 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 on the bottom of a saucepan, place chopped onions and grated carrots.
4. Place the fried meat on top.
5. Next, add the swollen chickpeas.
6. Fill everything with water.
7. Cover, simmer for an hour.
8. Add all the spices, including salt, ten minutes before cooking.

How and why chickpeas are germinated

On the first day, soak in a large amount of water (1: 5) and put away in a dark place. After 12 hours, the water is drained, the chickpeas are dried on a cloth and again filled with water. 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. Further, the seedlings can be used for food.

Chick peas are sprouted in order to obtain the maximum of nutrients. Sprouted beans are good for diabetes.

The benefits and composition of sprouted chickpeas

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

Sprouted chickpeas contain more iron and magnesium, which is beneficial 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 neat with the addition of oil. If such food does not make you hungry, add garlic and unrefined oil.

Sprouted beans are perfect for any vegetable salad.

Use in cosmetology

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

Pea chickpea face masks

A daily face mask is easy to make with 0.5 cups of beans and 0.5 cups of water.

Cooking method:

1. Soak the chickpeas overnight if you make the mask in the morning. If you prefer to care for your skin before bed, soak the chickpeas in the morning.
2. Add water.
3. Grind with a blender until puree.
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 cups of water;
• 0.5 tsp lemon juice;
• 1 tsp honey.

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

This mask cleanses and nourishes the skin.

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

Healing properties of chickpeas and treatment recipes

Beans are good for constipation and overweight. You can prepare a useful broth as follows:

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

Such a decoction is also useful for restoring bowel function after poisoning.

Not only broth 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 puree;
• do not add salt;
• eat 3-4 tablespoons a day.

This puree will help give the body strength and endurance. In the season of colds, chickpea porridge will increase immunity.

Growing chickpeas at home

Chickpea kernels can be purchased at the seed and seedling store. The growing area should be well lit. Make parallel grooves in the ground no more than 7 cm deep.It is better to leave 25 centimeters between the holes.

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

If chickpeas are planted in May, fruits will begin to set in August. Pods form within a month, there will be 1-2 peas inside. Maturity is determined as in regular peas. Shake the pod: if the seeds roll freely, you can pluck.

Let's sum up

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

Sprouted chickpeas contain a large amount of iron and magnesium, have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and heart function. Chick peas are widely used in cooking, 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!