1.19.2012

Roasted Chickpea Tacos {Yum.}





The other night, my best friend Lindsay, came over for dinner and to watch the Bachelor. Girl time while watching the Bachelor is probably one of my favorite things. We always enjoy having Lindsay over because she was my roommate for 8 years {impressive, huh?!} and also lived with Billy and I for a while. When we lived together, we referred to the 3 of us as our small {maybe somewhat disfunctional} little family, so she always holds a special place in my heart. When we lived together, we would have taco nights. Anyways, since I've become a vegetarian..ahem, pescatarian, Lindsay is open to trying my meatless recipes (gotta love her) and told me that I could cook whatever I wanted for her this week.

I knew I wanted to make roasted chickpea tacos. I have had this recipe in the back of my head for weeks now, and this was the best opportunity to make them! My hope was that if they turned out as yummy as they look, that Lindsay would want to make them at home to have a meatless dinner.

..and it was a success, my friends.

She loved them.
We loved them.

...so go on and tell me, who needs meat for tacos?!


Roasted Chickpea Tacos

I followed this recipe from two peas & their pod, but made them more like tacos and put them in hard taco shells, instead of tortillas. I didn't use mushrooms like the recipe suggests, but you can if you like them. :)

Ingredients:


To make the Roasted Chickpeas:
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons water
1 (15 oz.) can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed

For the Tacos:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 bell peppers, sliced (I just used red)
8 ounces sliced mushrooms (no, thank you)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Juice of 1 large lime
1/3 cup chopped cilantro


For serving:
Hard Taco shells (I used yellow corn ones)
Diced tomatoes
Avocado slices
Plain Greek yogurt (I used FAGE) or sour cream
Spinach (or lettuce for your significant other if he's anything like mine)
Lime wedges


*as you can see, I decided not to cook the onions or peppers in the skillet. You can do it either way.







 
Directions:

1. To roast the chickpeas: preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, lime juice and water. Stir in chickpeas. Place seasoned chickpeas on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring once during cooking, until chickpeas are slightly crispy.

2. While the chickpeas are roasting, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onions, garlic, peppers, and mushrooms. Cook for 5 minutes. {or, skip this step and just serve all the toppings on the side like I did.}

3. In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and lime juice.
 Pour mixture over vegetables and cook for another 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the roasted chickpeas and fresh cilantro.

4. Spoon roasted chickpea and vegetable mixture evenly down into the taco shell, and garnish with tomatoes, avocado slices, cheese (just a pinch), and Greek yogurt. Serve!



Things to Mention:

-I will be making these often. very..often.
-Definitely use the lime. It adds a refreshing taste to the tacos!
-Many people don't like regular chickpeas. If you are one of these people, at least try roasting them because they are full of flavor and not as bland.
-In my mind, pretty bowls are mandatory. If you like the presentation, you'll enjoy the food more. Is that just me?!
-Roasted chickpeas are wonderful as a snack by themselves or on top of salads. I doubled the ingredients and used 2 cans of chickpeas when roasting them so I could have leftovers. I've since had two spinach salads with them on top for an easy, but healthy lunch. So delish.




I love recipes that you can use the leftovers
in a different meal.

Enjoy!


Have you made Roasted Chickpeas before?
If not, here's your chance :)

I push you to challenge yourself your taste buds
and try something different! 








28 comments

  1. Those look delish! I'm going to have to try that recipe :)

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  2. will definitely be roasting these chickpeas for a snack! Thanks for the recipe!

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  3. These look so delicious! I have never had chick peas but fully intend on trying these. What are they like?

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  4. I loved the chickpeas babe! and taco tuesday's. love you!

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  5. Those look fantastic!

    I tagged you in my blog post, if you want to do it great, if not no big deal!

    ~KAH
    http://cocktailsandfriendship.blogspot.com/

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  6. holy yum

    i LOVE avacados. anything that has to do with them! Guacamole! Rock out with your Guac out!!

    can i also say i love the presentation of this!? in all those cutesey little bowls you put everything in! WIFE OF THE YEAR!!

    xoxoxo

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  7. My husband is going to love this post. I am pretty sure that we are making this food this weekend.

    Julie

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  8. that actually looks good and i am not a vegetarian ...

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  9. OMG! This looks to DIE for! I will definitly be trying this ASAP!!!

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  10. YUM!!!!!!!! Im totally making this tonight instead of what I had planned.

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  11. I LOVE chickpeas and while I eat meat, I do it rarely so I will be making these for sure!!!

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  12. I'm making these tomorrow! Like, I actually bought the stuff this past weekend and they're being made here. Can't wait!

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  13. I'm pinning it now, girlfriend. I love chickpeas. At our restaurant we have a fried chickpea appetizer (meant as a bar snack) but they are truffle scented and served on top of arugula. My husband and I order an big arugula salad for dinner (a MUST when you own and Italian restaurant and don't want to eat pasta and pizza all the time!) and get a side order of the chickpeas to put on top. How funny that you did the same thing!

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  14. uhm, seriously..these look amazing!!! You definitely are a great cook, I love all the recipes you post!! I'll have to try this one!

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  15. I've never heard of chick pea tacos before till now! How creative!

    xo.Britt
    The Magnolia Pair

    :)

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  16. Yum! I'll have to try this (sans taco shell) for my yeast free diet! :) Thanks for sharing!

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  17. These look great! So glad you made them. I have been planning to add them to the meatless Monday meal plan in the near future. :)This just reinforced that plan.

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  18. Katie!

    This dish looks so AMAZING! I will have to try this when I go to the store next and just change the sides to my diet list!

    Thanks for the reciepe!

    -Mynwneckofthewoods.

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  19. Yeeeeaaahhhh girl! I am so pumped to try this recipe. The only thing I love more than mexican food is HEALTHY mexican food. I can't wait to try - it sounds delish!

    Katie
    sparklesinthesnow.blogspot.com

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  20. Sounds Fab. and such a great vegetarian choice. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to try it.

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  21. I can't even tell you how happy/excited I am for these veggie recipes. Even though I can pretty much guarantee that Boomer won't eat a bite. That child is so picky....maybe I just won't tell her what it is...sneaky mommy.

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  22. I am DEFINTELY trying that recipe. Pronto! I found three cans of chick peas in my cabinet last night and had no idea what I was going to do with them and today I find this recipe? I call that divine intervention, love! Thanks for the recipe. Those tacos look DELISH and I don't think I'll even miss the meat!

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  23. this sounds delicious! i think i'll try it this weekend!

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