Turns out, 1 cup of chickpeas (a serving is more like 1/4-1/3 cup, of course) contains 15g or 30% of your recommended daily protein intake. So, my 1/4 cup portion of baked chickpeas (worth about 160-170 calories) provides me with about 4g protein. For comparison, a typical Kashi bar will run about 6g of protein (140 cals).
The big difference between the two of those is that you can't pop a piece of Kashi bar into your mouth every now and then for a while if you need something out of boredom. So, compared to other poppables the chickpeas are pretty protein heavy. Yes, I know, almonds would work too, but 1/4 cup almonds is fewer almonds than chickpeas, so they are a BIT voluminous =)
How does one snack on chickpeas? you might be wondering. They're wet and taste a bit bland. They're a salad topping or something to put in a dip! But not if you....bake them! With spices.
1 can garbanzo beans (15oz)
Generous spray of olive oil
Salt, Pepper, Cayenne, Cumin, Paprika.
Give a good dusting of salt, pepper and cumin. Go heavy on the paprika, light on the cayenne if you can't handle spicy.
Step 2: Once the paper towel is thoroughly wet, put another one down, let that soak too.
Step 3: If you're patient, TRY to let the chickpeas dry as much as possible. They dryer they start, the crunchier they'll be in the end.
Here they are after they've been dried...I'm not patient enough =( and seasoned.
The more paprika you use the smokier and prettier they'll be. The cumin and cayenne can be a bit strong.
And the final product is above.
How you like this one kids, sorry for the short and to the point post, but this is my first and last day home at a reasonable time all week so I'm gonna actually work out WITH Boyfriend and spend the evening with him. I will be having brussel sprouts for dinner because my pre-gym snack was more like a meal!
<3 Dr. Jules