Queen of Leafy Greens and Chick Peas
A friend and colleague of mine once nicknamed me just that: The Queen of Leafy Greens and Chick Peas. My curious choice in lunch foods inspired him to do so. Most days, we’d hit the cafeteria (in downtown Chicago, across from the Sears Tower at the time) and I’d help myself to a big plate of leafy greens with lots and lots of chick peas. Fast forward to today and it is still one of my favorite lunches.
Chick peas (also called garbanzo beans) are an interesting little legume, with a texture unlike that of kidney beans, black beans or pinto beans. I love all beans, my chick peas are my go-to variety.
What’s interesting about buying canned chick peas is that the NuVal scores can really vary. Check out these scores:
- Goya Chick Peas: NuVal score of 88
- Full Circle Garbanzo Beans: NuVal score of 82
- Meijer Organic Garbanzo Beans: NuVal score of 82
Great scores, right?
Now check these out:
- Bush’s Best Garbanzo Chick Peas: NuVal score of 53
- Progresso Ceci Chick Peas: NuVal score of 58
Wow, not so good! As you’ve heard me say before, it’s all about the additives! I’m always inclined to reach for that Progresso can (because it’s big and I really love chick peas), but it’s definitely not the highest scoring brand!
So, now for the salad that inspired my Nickname!
In today’s mix:
Romaine Lettuce: NuVal score of 100
Red Leaf Lettuce: NuVal score of 100
Baby Spinach: NuVal score of 100
Cucumber: NuVal score of 93
Cherry Tomatoes: NuVal score of 96
Grilled Asparagus: NuVal score of 100, but take into account that I added olive oil (11) and Kosher salt (1)
Cheddar Cheese: NuVal score of 22 for Cabot Private Selection Vermont Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese
Dressing of olive oil (11), balsamic vinegar, Kosher salt (1), and ground black pepper.
Yum! My husband loved it too.
And now, I’m off to put on my crown and rule my Kingdom of Nutritious Foods!
Question of the Day
What is your favorite way to eat Chick Peas?
Posted by: Melissa 13 comments
Posted in: chick peas
Tags: chick peas
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 7:58 am
Ok, REALLY interesting how the scores of my beloved chick pea scores. Interesting! I try as I may to not give into marketing (since I’m a marketer myself) so I am sure I pick my cans of chick peas off the shelf based on packaging and price. Until now. Thanks for the heads up!!!
I love my chick peas on salads or all smashed up in hummus. A lot.
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 9:02 am
I make a chickpea, coconut milk & green onion curry that’s delicious. Even my 1-year-old likes it!
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 9:06 am
hummm……. do you know how the eden organic chickpeas score? thanks!
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 9:10 am
So funny I had almost the same lunch yesterday – I love to go to Ruby Tuesday’s because they have lettuce chickpeas and dried cranberries on their salad bar and I love that with balsamic vinegar on it!
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 9:16 am
The different scores are interesting! I will have to take a closer look next time we are at the grocery store.
We make a batch of jalapeño hummus just about every week – so I guess that would be my favorite way to enjoy them!
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Is there any better way to enjoy chickpeas than in hummus?!? I do like them on my salad too though. And, I just want you to know how much I enjoy reading your NuVal scores. It helps me so much at the grocery store. I need a comprehensive list or to live near a store that uses the NuVal system. I’m officially obsessed with you guys! In a completely, non-threatening and non-creepy way, of course!
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 10:20 am
I mash my chickpeas with a potato masher and add a little flax seed oil to get the texture right, it’s hummus-like but reallllly thick. Then I put it on top of a Wasa cracker with avacado or tomato slices, it feels more like a meal to me than hummus. I do the same with black beans which also makes a great wasa topper!
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Yum! I make a salad with spinach, hemp oil dressing, dried mulberries, chickpeas and raw cheddar cheese that’s phenomenal. Then again, I really enjoy anything with chickpeas
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 11:19 am
I LOVE chick peas, and am going to be sure to buy Goya brand from now on. I actually made spinach hummus yesterday, it was super easy:
1 can chickpeas (with some of the juice from the can)
1 garlic clove
S & P
Grind in food processor
Add as much spinach as you can, grind in food processor.
Taste, and add more S & P, garlic or spinach if need be.
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 11:28 am
I like my chickpeas in hummus. That curry sounds delicious.
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 11:54 am
very interesting about the scores….they vary so much! love that salad. i would have to agree that i either love my chickpeas added to salad or in hummus-yum!
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I like to add chick peas to my pasta. I put it in the boiling water with pasta in the last 2 minutes of cooking and drain everything together, then add my favorite sauce as usual.
on Apr 12th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Elisa -
We have not yet scored Eden Organic Chick Peas. However, we have scored Eden Organic Pinto Beans, Aduki Beans, Navy Beans and Black-Eyed Peas and they all get a 100.