One of my favorite beans is the chick-pea.  Its sweet flavor and mealy texture make it a perfect addition to any soup, salad, or stew.  In Chinese medicine we learn that the chick-pea, also known as the garbanzo, is beneficial to the pancreas, Stomach and Heart.  In the Western world, we know that it contains more iron than other legumes and is a good source of unsaturated fats! My favorite way to prepare chick-peas is to make hummus, a guilty pleasure of mine I have to admit. Give me a bowl of hummus and a bag of baby carrots and I’m set!

Here’s a great hummus recipe I found in Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford. In this book, Pitchford incorporates the wise traditions of Oriental teachings with that which we know about food in the West.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s looking to incorporate a healthy, healing diet into their wellness regime. It contains important information about all things food, as well as fabulous recipes that are easy and delicious. 

Hummus

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked garbanzos
• 1/4 cup tahini or sesame meal
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
• 6-8 tablespoons lemon juice
• dash of hot pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
• sea salt to taste

Directions

• Mash or puree garbanzos with rest of ingredients
• Garnish with parsley and a drizzle of olive oil
• Serve as a dip with pita bread or your favorite veggies

That’s it.  Pretty simple right?