To reach that weight loss goal you have in mind while you are on a diet, there are lots of foods that may tempt you. Sometimes, you give in to your temptations and sometimes you fight it. Whatever the situation may be, there is always a struggle you face. Wouldn’t it feel great if there was something to help you with that struggle?
That’s why you should have a can of chickpeas in your kitchen. No doubt chickpeas are nutritious and great for health. Sometimes, they can help your cravings when you are on a diet, too. Here are four ways you can treat yourself using chickpeas without disturbing your diet.
Ways You Can Turn Chickpeas Into A Delicious Treat
There are lots of foods you need to restrict yourself from eating if you are on a diet. This is quite challenging. If you are a vegetarian or a vegan, you’re probably looking for ways to make your vegetables taste better. Here are four ways you can turn protein-rich chickpeas into some mouth-watering treats.
1. Add Chickpeas To Your Cheese Sauce
If you are vegan, you probably know that vegan cheese is not the same as ordinary cheese for obvious reasons. Generally, vegan cheese requires a lot of cashews, which are healthy and tasty. However, they are expensive, too. But, the good news is you can make the same cheese with chickpeas without compromising the flavor. You can use this cheese as a dip for nachos or even top your favorite vegetables with it.
Chickpea Cheese Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup buttercup squash, roasted and pureed
- ½ cup chickpeas
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon tamari
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons coconut cream
- 3 tablespoons coconut milk
How To Prepare:
- Blend all the ingredients together in a blender until you get a creamy and smooth texture.
- If you want your sauce less thick, you can add more coconut milk or water until it has reached the desired consistency.
2. Make Your Version Of Chickpea Brownies
Brownies are an all time favorite and your cravings for brownies may begin when you are on your weight loss program. You are in half mind to cheat because it feels like you cannot live without them. You can have brownies even when you are on your diet – not the one made of flour, lots of chocolate, and sugar! You can have your version of chickpea brownies to curb your cravings. They may not taste the same, but they are definitely a healthy way to give in to your cravings.
Chocolate Chip Chickpea Brownies Recipe
Ingredients:
- Cooking Spray
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup all natural almond butter or peanut butter
- 1⁄3 cup pure maple syrup or agave nectar (honey can be used if you are not vegan)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄3 cup vegan (or regular) chocolate chips
How To Prepare:
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F and spray an 8×8 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a food processor, add all ingredients except for the chocolate chips and process them until you get a smooth batter.
- Add the 1⁄3 cup of chocolate chips to the batter. Dark chocolate chips are healthier than milk chocolates as they contain less sugar.
- Spread this batter evenly onto the prepared pan and sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips on top.
- Bake the batter for 20–25 minutes. You can also check if the batter is cooked by inserting a toothpick into the batter. If it comes out clean and the edges are brown you can take the pan out of the oven.
- Allow the pan to cool for 20 minutes on a wire rack.
- Cut them out into squares and serve.
3. Prepare Healthy Chickpea Cheese
When you crave for cheese to go with your low-fat sandwich, you can always turn to chickpeas. Chickpeas are a great substitute for regular cheese. Although they won’t have the consistency as regular cheese, they are healthy and can be filling with the right nutrients.
Chickpea Cheese Recipe
Ingredients:
¾ cup chickpea flour
1 cup warm water
1 ½ tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp salt
1⁄8 tsp turmeric
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Any other desired herbs or spices to taste (jalapeno, chipotle, basil, oregano etc.)
How To Prepare:
- Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl until the chickpea has dissolved completely in warm water. If you would like to flavor your cheese, you can also add some herbs or spices of your choice at this time.
- Line a rectangular or square-shaped baking tin with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Pour the prepared mixture into a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly, making sure it does not get burned. It will begin to turn lumpy, which is normal. Later, it will turn thick and will have a smooth texture.
- Make sure the chickpea flavor is not present.
- After it turns thick and smooth, you can transfer the mixture into the tin lined with the parchment paper. Spread it evenly of your desired shape.
- Place it in the refrigerator to set for about two to three hours.
- You can slice it or grate it as per your requirement.
4. Have Healthy Chickpea Cookie Dough
Having cookie dough is really tasty but it will lead to weight gain if you are on a diet. But, you can have healthy cookie dough if you replace your regular ingredients with chickpeas. It is filling and close to the regular dough, but healthy. This is packed with protein and will fill you up without depleting your energy levels. You can also enhance the flavor of your dough by adding your favorite nut butter like peanut butter.
Chickpea Cookie Dough Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chickpeas, skins removed, patted dry
- 1⁄3 cup natural peanut butter
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar or any sweetener of your choice
- 1⁄3 cup vegan (or regular) chocolate chips
How To Prepare:
- Blend all the ingredients in a blender excluding the chocolate chips until it forms a fine puree.
- Remove the cookie dough from the blender and transfer it to a bowl.
- Mix the chocolate chip cookies to the dough and mix well using a wooden spoon.
- You can have the dough with some fresh fruits like apples or any other fruit of your choice.
So, the next time you are tempted to have cheese or you want to treat yourself with some goodies but at the same time wish to stay healthy, consider these fun chickpea recipes.
