Puerto Rican Chickpea Salad Recipes

MAMA'S CHICKPEA IN SOFRITO WITH ARROZ CON GANDULES

Steps:

• First make your Sofrito: Sofrito in Spanish means sauce -- very traditional in many of the main staple foods in Puerto Rico: Add olive oil to a medium pot and place over medium heat. Once oil is hot, add in onion, green bell pepper, cilantro and garlic. Saute until onions are translucent and green peppers soften, about 2-4 minutes. Bring heat to low and add tomato sauce, sazon and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce comes together.
• Add in the chickpeas beans and broth and simmer uncovered over low heat while you cook the rice, stirring occasionally, so that the spices infuse with the beans. If you notice the liquid getting too low, it probably means you were simmering at too high of a heat, but no worries you can simply add another ½ cup water or broth.
• While the chickpeas are simmering with sofrito, start making the rice: Add oil to a medium pot and place over medium heat. Once oil is hot, add in onion, green pepper, cilantro and garlic. Saute until onions are translucent and green peppers soften, about 2-4 minutes. Bring heat to medium-low and add tomato sauce, sazon and simmer for 2 minutes until sauce comes together.
• Next add in entire can of pigeon peas (with the liquid -- DO NOT DRAIN) add 3 cups water, and bring to a boil. Once it boils, stir in 2 cups of rice, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
• Taste both the rice and adjust seasonings as necessary, including adding more salt.
• How to serve: add rice and beans to a bowl with extra sauce from the beans, garnish with cilantro and a few avocado slices -- serve with tostones if you're feeling like a true Puerto Rican! Serves 4-6.

PUERTO RICAN CHICKPEA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, celery, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and cilantro. Season with vinegar, lime juice, olive oil, cumin, and salt and pepper. Combine all ingredients well and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

SOPA DE GARBANZOS (CHICK PEA SOUP)

Steps:

• Drain beans and set aside.
• In a large Dutch oven (or pressure cooker), over medium heat, brown bacon to render some fat; add ham and sausage and brown them a little as well.
• Add peppers and onion; saute until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add garlic and saute a minute or so.
• Add water, pumpkin or squash (okay, pumpkin is squash), cilantro or parsley, potatoes, and cabbage; stir in tomato paste.
• Return pigs feet and add beans to pot; cover and cook 1 1/2 hours (if using pressure cooker - 1 hour).
• Open pot, taste for salt and add, if necessary.

PUERTO RICAN CABBAGE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl.
• Combine juice and remaining ingredients, stirring well with a whisk.
• Drizzle juice mixture over cabbage; toss well to combine.
• Cover and chill 15 minutes.

CHICKPEA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine chick peas with onions, peppers, celery, garlic, red pepper flakes and rosemary in a medium bowl. Dress salad with vinegar and oil, salt and pepper.