What Are Chickpeas? 

The humble chickpea (also known as a garbanzo bean) is a powerhouse of fiber. Did you know that one cup of chickpeas provides half your daily requirement of fiber? The World’s Healthiest Foods site even stated that those who ate chickpeas had lower total and LDL cholesterol than those who ate fiber from other plant sources.

How Do You Cook Chickpeas?

I almost never buy canned chickpeas. I buy them dry and boil a large batch of them. (Click the link to learn how to cook dried chickpeas.) Then I drain and dry them, stick them in a freeze bag, and freeze them to preserve their longevity. It saves you from extra salt and preservatives, as well as saves recycling all those cans!

Here are 4 ways that I enjoy incorporating chickpeas into my gluten-free diet.

Hummus – Cooked/ Canned Chickpeas

The most obvious chickpea dish is hummus. Hummus is high in fiber and loaded with garlic and tahini. The combination of ingredients are a great way to fight against anemia. It’s great paired with any vegetable or gluten-free cracker. It’s a great dip to bring to parties and an excellent dip to add to a healthy lunch. Follow the link to my homemade hummus recipe and indulge in this healthy snack!

Blondies- Canned Chickpeas

While black bean brownies seem to be popular, these chickpea recipe blondie cousins should be getting some press. These Flourless Chocolate Chip Chickpea Blondies from Ambitious Kitchen use maple syrup as a sweetener instead of refined sugar. Did I mention that these are EGG FREE?

They do call for peanut or almond butter, but I think SunButter could also be used if you have nut allergies. These are thick and rich like fudge, not really a baked texture. It’s a great way to sneak in fiber and protein into your kid’s afternoon snack!

Gluten Free Falafel – Raw Chickpeas

Unlke the other chickpea recipes listed here, these falafel use RAW chickpeas. While they are soaked, they are NOT cooked. The soaked chickpeas are then ground with other spices, and deep fried. These gluten free falael are a labor of love, but one with a seriously delicious outcome.

Socca- Chickpea Flour

Let’s bring this chickpea lineup back to the savory side. Did you know you can make an excellent flatbread with equal parts chickpea flour and water? Socca is a traditional flatbread made in the south of France. Add a bit of salt, a touch of oil and a sprinkling of rosemary, and you have a snack you won’t be able to set down.

Eat it on it’s own, dipped in marinara, or any other dip on your mind. Socca also makes a great base as a pizza crust. You can see the recipe and more uses on my previous blog post about socca.

Other Gluten Free Chickpea Based Recipes I Recommend

Vegetarian Mock Tuna Casserole from Vegetarian Mamma

Quick Creamy Vegan Coconut Chickpea Curry from 40 Aprons (I eat this twice a month)

Chipotle Chickpea Burrito Bowls from A Saucy Kitchen

Chickpea Cookie Dough Dip from Chocolate Covered Katie

Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas from Fearless Dining (Great Crunchy, Nut Free Snack!) 

Gluten Free American Pancakes (using aquafaba/ chickpea water) from Becky Excell

So what’s your favorite way to use chickpeas? I’m always looking for new recipes to try! Leave me a note below!

Originally Published January 2017

The post 10 Gluten Free Ways to Eat Chickpeas appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

What Gluten Free Options Does Teta’s Grill Offer?

Teta’s Grill gluten free options include all meats except the gyro meat (which contains bread crumbs) and the breaded chicken fingers. (They fry their falafel and French fries in the same oil as breaded items. Therefore, they do not suggested those with Celiac Disease eat these items.) The pita and desserts are off limits too.

What Other Food Allergies Do They Accommodate?

Their menu goes beyond gluten free offerings, though. All meals are absolutely egg free. No mayonnaise used at all in this establishment! In addition, they use no butter or artificial ingredients. All entrees are cooked FROM scratch. (Bread is bought premade in Dearborn.) Everything is cooked fresh, and made to order.

Teta’s Grill Gluten Free Appetizers

I started my Teta’s grill gluten free dinner with Lentil soup. They slow cook lentils in homemade vegetable stock (no bouillon) for a Lebanese food that hits the spot. (If you’d ever like to try making it at home, I suggest this Red Lentil Soup recipe from The Kitchn.) 

I also ordered Teta’s Grill gluten free grape leaves. Rarely do I get get to eat these things. I cannot imaging the time and energy it takes to soften the leaves and wrap these. This requires patience i do not have. Therefore, grape leaves are definitely a treat!

Teta’s Grill Gluten Free Entrees

After consuming our Teta’s Grill gluten free appetizers, we dove into our entrees. My husband ordered the  Lamb Shish Kabob, while I ordered the Deboned Chicken. I do not exaggerate when I say my husband commented “this may be the best lamb I’ve ever eaten.”

I tried a bit of his lamb, and I agree that it was juicy and delicious! My deboned chicken was delicious as well. I cut mine up into small bites and mixed it into my rice, dipping it into their homemade, vegan garlic sauce. I let my husband enjoy the house made pickled turnip on my plate.

Just Like Mom Used to Make

The owner spent time talking to us about the story behind his restaurant. He named it after his mother. She was instrumental behind the yearly “our Lady Of Lebanon Mideast Festival.

He learned all he knew about cooking from her. My husband and I have visited this local festival many times. Knowing that his family remains connected to this great event made this meal experience even better.

How Teta’s Grill Prevents Cross Contact

While this picture isn’t the best, I hope you notice the different color knives. Teta’s Grill designates each color knife for different types of food. The green knives and matching green cutting boards are used only for vegetables. There’s a dedicated cutting board and knife for bread, so those gluten filled crumbs don’t inadvertently find their way into your food.

The yellow and red knives are for different types of meats. In addition, they change their gloves with every meal they prepare, to prevent any chance of cross-contact. I find this level of forethought simply fascinating.

The owner was very open, totally okay with me taking this picture, and proud to show just how clean and neat they maintain their kitchen. They have exemplary notices from the health department, and they even post them proudly for customers to see!

So, if you find yourself in Flushing for their Summer Festival or their Christmastime Candlewalk, stop in for a delicious Teta’s Grill gluten free meal. Just know that they close on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 pm, and are closed on Sundays. Let me know if you decide to stop in, and what you order!

Restaurant Address and Contact Information

Teta’s Grill
6429 Pierson Rd #13
Flushing, MI 48433
(810) 487-9799
Hours Open Mon/Wed/Fri 11 am – 8 pm, Saturday 2-8 pm, CLOSED Tues/Thurs/ Sunday
Website | Facebook | Instagram

All thoughts and opinions are my own. Teta’s Grill is one of many Michigan restaurants I’ve visited. You can a list of them on my  Michigan gluten free dining post. Please remember to always ask any restaurant about their food preparation practices. I was not paid or compensated in any way for this meal.

Originally Published July 2018

The post Teta’s Grill Gluten Free Lebanese Cuisine appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Why Hummus is a Great Addition to a Healthy Gluten-Free Diet

A typical (traditional) hummus recipe has a few obligatory ingredients, which are also part of a healthy diet. These include chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and olive oil. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a power house of nutrition. One cup of chickpeas has 14 grams of high quality protein and 12 grams of fiber. Chickpeas are also high in folate, which helps in the production of red blood cells. This is ideal for those with Celiac Disease, because many suffer from anemia, or a lack of red blood cells.

Health Benefits of Tahini  / Sesame Seeds

Hummus also contains tahini. Tahini is sesame seed paste. Tahini is an excellent source of copper. One of copper’s main roles is to help incorporate iron into red blood cells. Copper is also an antioxidant and maintains structure of the blood vessels. Tahini is used in a multitude of Middle Eastern dishes. I’ve also found it to be great on salmon!

Why You Should Add More Lemon to Your Diet

Hummus also contains lemon juice. Which is also, surprise, a good source of folate! It’s also an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports the immune system. My mother had an uncle that swore by the benefits of hot water and lemon every morning. If memory serves me right, he lived very happily well into his nineties.

So what are you waiting for? Make a batch for yourself and eat to your health! Wanting to fulfill your sweet tooth? Try these 7 Vegan Dessert Hummus Recipes, gathered by Vegans Baby.

Print

Hummus

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 c. cooked chickpeas one can
• 1/4 water from can of chickpeas
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cumin

Instructions

• Place chickpeas in mini food processor, along with water and garlic, and blend / puree until almost smooth.
• Remove lid and add olive oil, tahini and lemon juice. Replace lid and blend thoroughly.
• Remove lid and add salt, and cumin. Puree thoroughly.
• Using rubber scraper, scoop out hummus from mini processor and into bowl. Hummus can be eaten immediately, but it better after having chilled a few hours.
• Enjoy with vegetables, crackers or use as a spread on sandwiches!

Looking for other great chickpea recipes? Check out 4 of my favorite chickpea recipes, including brownies! I also highly recommend this Vegetarian Mock Tuna Casserole from VegetarianMamma!

**This post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!**

The post Hummus- Nature’s Anemia Fighting Bean Dip appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.