Quick and easy chickpea recipe from Jamaica: How to cook chickpeas that even your kids will love
Eating healthy and keeping the menu interesting while on lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t always easy.
What do you do when you have limited options on the shelves or you are bored with your usual foods but you snagged a few cans of chickpeas – and chickpeas just aren’t your thing, moreover from a can?
Read on. Have I got an an easy chickpea recipe for you!
You’re welcome 
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a good source of protein, fiber, carbs, iron, B vitamins, and many other nutrients. So it’s got the healthy piece covered.
But what about tasty …. delicious … palate-pleasing … worthy of adding to your cooking repertoire even after the shelter in place mandates go away? Could chickpeas be that good?
Yes, they can be. Think beyond hummus, falafel, or your last salad. You will be pleasantly surprised with what you can do with chickpeas.
I will be the first to admit that cooking is not my strong suit and I’m a picky eater. So, I require recipes that are quick and easy, plus taste divine.
The chef from Mais Oui Villa was gracious enough to share his coconut curry chickpea recipe that I enjoyed at my last visit.
I am pleased to share with you a simple and easy chickpea recipe that will transport you to Jamaica … or at least spare you from eating chickpeas straight from a can.
Many Jamaican chefs cook based on instinct so the quantities are approximate. These are the proportions that I used; however, feel free to adjust them to your taste and based on what you have at home or can find in the grocery store.
This dish can serve either as a meal by itself or as a side dish. Even non-vegans will love it!
Simple and Easy Chickpea Recipe: Coconut Curried Chickpeas from Mais Oui Tennis & Spa Villa, Jamaica
Ingredients:
2 tbsps Coconut oil
1 medium onion, sliced or diced
1 stalk escallion or spring onion
2 sprigs of thyme
1 medium Irish potato, cubed
½ Bell pepper, cut in strips
Hot pepper (optional and to taste)
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 cans of chickpeas
¼ cup coconut milk (or 2-3 tablespoons of coconut powder)
2-3 cloves of garlic
2-3 tsp of curry powder
Salt to taste
In case you are wondering, we used Goya Low Sodium Beans with Sea Salt.
If you can’t find all of the ingredients, no worries. Use what you can have. If you don’t have or like bell pepper, skip it. If you like cauliflowers, add it. You will simply create a new recipe.
To find the curry or the coconut milk, look in the International Foods or the Asian or Indian food aisle of your grocery store. Note that coconut milk is not cream of coconut that is used to make Pina Colada
Instructions:
Heat coconut oil in a saucepan.
Over medium heat, sauté the onion, garlic, bell peppers, hot pepper, and escallion.
Add in the carrot and Irish potatoes. Continue stir-frying until softened.
Add the 2 cans of chickpeas. Note, drain the chickpeas if you will be adding coconut cream. Do not drain if you are using coconut powder. The amount of liquid will determine how runny the dish will turn out.
Add the curry then continue to stir fry for an additional 5 minutes.
Add the coconut cream or coconut powder as well as salt and pepper to taste. Add thyme.
Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
I’m not a great cook by any means and this was really delicious, as well as quick and easy. Once I cut up the ingredients, cooking took less than 30 minutes.
Go ahead and try it. Let me know how it turned out. Did you find it to be an easy chickpea recipe? If you made any variations, let me know. Maybe I’ll try it on my next go around.
Of course, if you want the real deal, just ask the chef to prepare it when you visit us at Mais Oui, once it is safe to travel.
‘Til next time.
Think and dream Jamaica!
Sherry, Darrell, and Darrian
Considering a visit to Jamaica with a group? Contact us today for more information about, Mais Oui Tennis & Spa Villa, our boutique 8-BR ocean view Jamaica villa rental experience in beautiful Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Perfect for multi-generational families and groups, retreats, and intimate destination weddings and vow renewals.
Visit our website: https://MakeItJamaica.com
Give us a call: 833-MAISOUI (624.7684) toll-free or 914.709.0457
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