Sweet & Spicy Chickpeas
Going out to eat is something that I have learned to dislike over the past year. Wow, that is so weird to hear me say that because I used to be the person who wanted to only eat out. To the old self, I would have said that restaurant food was so much better than home cooked food and would prefer even eating McDonald’s over something I could make at home.
Now? I couldn’t be any farther from that person.
To me, restaurant food is whatever. And now that I have a grocery list of things I am unable to eat, it makes dining out limiting (there are only so many salads a girl can eat) and a pain in the rear (“I’ll have the chicken and cheesy sandwich but with no chicken, cheese or bread please!”) I’m officially one of “those” people. And here in L.A. you really become annoying (especially because everyone here avoids certain foods just so they don’t gain an ounce ) so when you say, no gluten or dairy, the waiter/waitress is rolling his/her eyes thinking, “It’s one of those people.”
So when I do eat out, I try to make light of the situation as best as I can. With humor. I always preface my order with,
“Guuueeesssssss what? I’m your worst nightmare–I’m that high maintenance customer you dream about. Yay!”
At least this prepares them for my list of, “But no this, no that, hold this, add that” order. I tell them of my allergies and when I see that the fear is in their eyes I like to end on this note: “It’s not a big deal but if I eat any of that I will collapse to the floor and keel over but no pressure. You just won’t get a tip.”
Most understand my humor (with the exception of one waiter). With all that to say, eating out isn’t my first choice if I had to choose. I really enjoy the process of cooking at home–it is a de-stressor for me and it’s one of the main reasons why I started this blog. I know that figuring out what to make for dinner tends to be a big pain for a lot of people so my intention is to help someone out there with answering that pestering question, “What’s for dinner?”
And who knows, maybe more people will begin to enjoy their home-cooked food than eating out at a restaurant… Let’s start a movement. A “Eat At Home More” Movement, I declare! It’s better for you, your family and your waistline (I lost a good amount of weight once I stopped eating out, by the way!)
Prep Time:
Print
PinIngredients
- 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can spicy, diced tomatoes (or if you don’t want too much spice, go with the regular kind)
- 1/2 c. chopped dried apricots
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 c. cilantro (or if you don’t like cilantro, you can use parsley or altogether omit)
- 2 Tbs cumin
- 2 Tbs coriander, ground
- 1/2 tsp black cumin seeds (optional)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 c. fresh spinach
Instructions
- Heat up 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a skillet. Place all spices into pan and allow to cook on medium heat for a good 30 seconds.
- Add chickpeas and stir to coat with spices. Add remaining ingredients (except for the cilantro), cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Mix the cilantro and spinach until wilted right before serving
Hi, I know this recipe is an old post, but I’m just reading it now – and I’m a total novice, so this is an embarrassing question: You write “Mix the cilantro and spinach until wilted right,” what exactly does “right” mean? 30 seconds? 2 minutes? 10 minutes? (I find that I prefer cooked greens to still have a little bite, but I always end up overcooking them.) What’s your method? Thanks!
I can totally relate to how you feel about eating out. I feel like it’s more of a chore to find something I can eat on a menu than just make it for myself. And your right it’s always salad that is “safe” haha.