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Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

My daughter and I made these recently on a cold, wet, lazy Sunday afternoon.. and wow!  These are so cool!  Slightly spicy, very flavorful, with a roasted toasty outside.  She and I DID get to eat SOME of them.... but one of my teenagers ended up basically taking the whole bowl and snacking on them while he was on the computer.  I have to admit, they are quite addictive!
 
      Click here to view my Video Recipe to make these Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

Ingredients:  
  • 1 can (14-15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained 
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil  
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)  
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes     
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt    
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper     
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning    
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped fine    
  • Parmigiano reggiano, freshly grated

Step-by-Step:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas. 
1 (14.5 oz) can chickpeas (Garbonzo beans)
Allow them to drain on a paper towel.  

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, and Italian seasoning.  Add the drained chickpeas to the herbed oil.  Toss gently to coat. 

Olive oil....  
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Italian seasoning...

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp kosher salt


Lily understands all about leveling off her dry ingredients.  I don't even have to remind her anymore.

1 rounded Tbsp Minced garlic...



1/4 tsp Black pepper...
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes...
 
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (add more if you want more heat)


Whisk to combine...

Add the chickpeas to the herbed oil..



Be gentle with coating the chickpeas.  You don't want to smash them or break them up.

Spread them onto the baking sheet.

This is how they look before baking..

This is how they look after baking!

Now sprinkle them with a little extra kosher salt if you wish.  Grate some Parmigiano reggiano over the top, and sprinkle with the fresh chopped rosemary.


So during the baking time, we always clean up.  We also manage to have a little fun.  For one thing, after spreading the chickpeas, Lily's hands were covered in the herbed oil.  She found it to be quite tasty, and it made for some fun photos.  This is why we do this.... to enjoy time together, making precious memories.

So we hope you will try these.  You probably have all the ingredients already.  These are all pantry staples with nothing "fresh" required, except for the cheese (which we always have on hand in the fridge).  You might like these next time someone else is noshing on buttery popcorn and you want something a little healthier.





Written Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas. Allow them to drain on a paper towel.  

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, and Italian seasoning.  Add the drained chickpeas to the herbed oil.  Toss gently to coat.
Spread the seasoned chickpeas onto a baking sheet.  Bake for around 10 minutes.  I lined the baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.  After the first 10 minutes, remove the baking sheet and turn the chickpeas so you can roast the other side.  Return baking sheet to oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes.   Remove from oven and sprinkle with a little extra kosher salt, freshly grated Pamigiano reggian, and the chopped rosemary.  Serve hot and toasty!

If you need to reheat these, a toaster oven works great... they crisp right up again!

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Fruit Pizza


Yesterday, as we braved yet another afternoon of incessant rain, the troops were growing restless. One of the kids suggested we make a fruit pizza.  If you have ever eaten this treat, you know that the term "pizza" is a misnomer. This dessert consists of a sugar cookie "pizza crust," a sweetened cream cheese "pizza sauce," lots of beautiful fresh fruit, all topped off with a sweet glaze.

If you need a rainy day activity to do with your kiddos... Or perhaps you are a big "kid" with a sweet tooth, this is a fun and easy recipe that is just as delicious as it is pretty to serve!  For that matter, it would be great as individual cookies for a child's party or a shower.

Ingredients:
  • 1 roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • 1 8 oz package of cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
  • Zest of one lemon
  • Your choice of fresh seasonal fruit
  • Strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, raspberries, blueberries
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 tsp corn starch
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla


Step-by-Step:
Prepare sugar cookie "crust" as directed on package.  The parchment paper will keep it from sticking and make it easier to transfer off of the baking sheet to cool. Make sure you put a little flour on your hands as you press or roll out the cookie dough.
1 package of refrigerated sugar cookie crust
Make the "pizza sauce" by mixing together the cream cheese, lemon zest, and powder sugar.
8 oz cream cheese

zest of one lemon

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

Mix to blend, then refrigerate until cold and firmed up again.
To Prepare the Glaze.
Mix together the orange juice, granulated sugar, corn starch, and a little vanilla.
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp corn starch
Just a bit of vanilla.  Maybe 1/8 to 1/4 tsp.  Sorry, I didn't measure.
Bring to a boil so thickener can work, then reduce heat and let the syrup reduce until thick and syrupy. :)
Assemble.
To the totally cool cookie "crust," add the cold sweetened cream cheese.

Arrange fruits as you desire.

Add the cooled glaze.

 Serve to little smiling faces!
I couldn't resist adding this photo.  My son saw me with the camera, so he grabbed my phone started taking photos with it.  They love getting in on "the action!"
So this masterpiece of color was created mostly by my kiddos!  Beautiful, isn't it?!

 You can see how lovely and shiny the glaze is on the fruit.





Okay, so it's not perfectly round.  Who cares?  What is important is the time we are spending together doing the activity, them learning about techniques and skills... and that it's yummy!

Enjoy!
Written Directions
Begin by making mixing together cream cheese, confectioners sugar, and lemon zest. I used a hand mixer for this. Put the mix in the refrigerator until needed.  Prepare the crust as indicated by package. For ease of cleanup and removal from pan, consider baking the cookie dough on parchment paper. While cookie is baking, make the glaze by bringing orange juice, sugar, vanilla, and corn starch to a boil, then allow to reduce until thickened and syrupy.  Cool in the refrigerator.  On a completely cool cookie crust, spread the cream cheese "sauce." Arrange fruit over the cream cheese. Brush cooled glaze over fruit.


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