Full House.
For seventeen years, our household consisted of four people: Dad, Mom, Katie, and Michelle. Initially, it felt strange when my sister and I went off to college after so many years living in the same family unit. Now, however, it feels strange when we’re all back together under one roof! Strange, but wonderful. It’s especially nice to sit down to a family dinner again, just like old times. We took advantage the other night. My sister made the dinner, and I was in charge of salad and sides (grilled veggies).Â
Above, a salad tossed with Crazy-Good Ranch Dressing.
That dressing is so good! I’m running out of things to put it on, having already tried pasta, salad, bulgur, steamed veggies, and roast veggies. The other day I made a really delicious bowl of random leftovers: roast cauliflower and baby bellas, fresh corn, and the ranch, all mixed up.
I’d planned to roast the chickpeas, but I just couldn’t fathom the idea of turning on the oven when it was 105 degrees outside. So I grilled them. Always a rebel.Â
The chickpeas went into our salads too. They made for a nice, crunchy alternative to croutons.
Chickpea Poppers
Found here: Recipes with Beans
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/8 tsp salt, or to taste
- oil or oil spray
- seasonings of choice (I used paprika and curry powder, but ginger or cinnamon would also be nice. Or you could even go sweet: try coconut oil, cinnamon, and perhaps even some sugar or stevia.)
Rinse and drain your chickpeas, then dry with a towel. Mix with a little oil or spray, then toss with your seasonings (optional: you can also add a little flour if desired). To grill, you can use a panini press, a griddle, or a grill pan right over your grill.
Alternatively, you can roast these in a 400-degree oven, for 30-40 minutes, tossing every ten minutes. Optional: make ’em twice as addictive by tossing them in Healthy Ranch Dressing.
Questions of the Day:
Do you still live with all your siblings?
It’s weird for me to think about the fact that it’s been six years since our family lived all together like when we were growing up.
yum!!! my dad loves to grill anything veggie so I will tell him about this. how did you get them to not fall through the cracks?
I used a grill pan 🙂
actually i think my dad has one too. i guess all good grillers do. he does taters in it.
That’s it, I’m roasting chickpeas tonight.
I can attest to the addictive power of your ranch dressing. I made some the other day and have been pouring it, dipping stuff in it, slurping it, DEVOURING it ever since! Even my fairly picky husband likes it! (We’re working on the kids, but they’re not fond of ranch dressing in general, so it’s a bit of a harder sell. We’ll get there!)
Aw this makes me so happy :)!
Yummm I gott try the caemel corn ones somehow!!
You and your sister are both such gorgepus girls 🙂
If you experiment and figure it out, let me know! I’m working on it… but the first experiment was awful!
I now know after reading several of your recipes that you love using dates. Have you ever considered trying to melt them down in place of the brown sugar and corn syrup part of a caramel recipe? Mixed with a butter alternative, sea salt, and baking soda. Just a thought…
I’ve been working on a caramel recipe with dates… It needs work, but it’s getting there! 🙂
I love roasted chick peas. But the recipe I found had you roast them with shelled pistachios and they were wonderful!
I made your chocolate chip blondies the other night. I didn’t tell my family they were healthy. Even my kids liked them! Thanks!
Aw thanks for trying them!!
I’ll have to give roasted chickpeas a second go–my first attempt, they were TOO hard and crunchy. As for caramel corn chickpeas, I had an idea, though considering desserts are your genius, you’ve probably already thought of it! Sometimes, I’ve found that dried dates taste like caramel . . . perhaps you’ve noticed that, too? Good luck! 🙂
LOL oh my gosh, great minds think alike… no joke, I actually have dates soaking as I type this!
I have tried them before…we used to eat them a lot actually..and they are great on salads or as a snack alone! I haven’t made them in such a long time though. I agree, too hot to turn on the oven!
Beautiful family photo! You & your sis are gorgeous! What type of work does she do? Does she like to create yummy treats like you?
My younger sis & I are super close…we both love reading blogs but she never looks for recipes like I do:)
Have a wonderful day!!
She is the EXACT opposite of me! Really! I’m a vegan… she works in a burger place! She’s worked there for a year after graduating from college, but now she’s looking for a real job.
And she likes meat/protein more than carbs or chocolate. I do not know how we are related lol!
Beautiful family!!
I love roasted chickpeas, but havent had it in ages- I must make them soon again:)
I have one older sister, and two younger brothers. This summer, my youngest brother moved out from my parents, so now we all live apart. My sister is actually moving to Russia soon (crazy lady), I live in Oslo (capital city in Norway), one brother is in the military, and the last one lives at his school!
I love roasted chickpeas and I cannot even fathom putting the oven on in warm weather! I’m always grilling ridiculous things – hence the reason I made muffins on the grill. 🙂
wow your hair does grow fast! hehe, beautiful picture of you and your family 😀
I don’t live with my siblings anymore- I was the older sister who moved out first! And I have not yet tried roasted chickpeas… which is surprising, seeing as they are one of my favorite foods! I need to work on that!