Crunchy Garbanzo Crackers

These crunchy crackers are tasty enough on their own, but when eaten in combination with a creamy bean dip, they make a healthy, gluten-free snack. 

How Healthy Is That?  Garbanzo beans (Chick Peas) are an extremely low-fat, complete protein food. They are a very good source of folic acid, fiber, and manganese.  They are also a good source minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium. Garbanzo beans can help lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar levels because they are a good source of fiber.

For this recipe, I used Bob’s Red Mill Garbanzo Bean Flour, but there are many other varieties to choose from. 

Recipe Ingredients

1 Cup Garbanzo Bean Flour

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

3 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast Flakes

1 teaspoon canola oil

4-6 Tablespoons water

Recipe Directions

In medium size bowl, mix together dry ingredients

Mix in the oil and then add the water one tablespoon at a time being careful not too add too much water so that the dough becomes overly sticky

When the dough is thoroughly mixed, remove it from the mixing bowl

Place it on a floured surface (use gluten free flour to dust your surface, if desired)

Knead the dough for approximately 1 minute until it becomes smooth and pliable

Roll it into a large ball and let rest for 5 minutes 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Cut the ball of dough into two sections

Dust a rolling pin with flour and roll out one section of the dough to approximately 1/8 inch thick

Use a cookie cutter to cut into festive shapes or cut into squares with a knife

Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray

Lay the crackers on the sheet and poke them with a fork a few times so that they won't puff up

Bake for 10-15 minutes, but watch them closely so that they do not burn

After removing them from the oven dust with paprika and let them cool

Repeat with other half of dough

Serves 4-6  

Store in an airtight container 

Copyright 2010 
Lisa Casey, M.S.Ed of Living, Loving Food
All rights reserved.
If you re-post this recipe, please give credit where it is due and post a link to http://livinglovingfood.blogspot.com/2010/03/crunchy-garbanzo-crackers.html

 

 

 

Emerald Pita Pizzas

Who doesn’t love pizza? Especially pizza that is easy to make, extremely nutritious and delicious! These pizzas can be served as a main dish or cut into fourths for an appetizer.

How healthy is that?

Broccoli Raab or Rapini is low in Saturated Fat. It is also a good source of Pantothenic Acid, and Dietary Fiber, Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc and Manganese.

Turnip Greens are an excellent source of vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6 and folate. They are also an excellent source of the minerals calcium, copper and manganese. In addition, turnip greens are an excellent source of dietary fiber.

Recipe Ingredients:
2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
¼ C extra virgin olive oil
19 oz can garbanzo beans
½ C water
1 pound Rapini, roughly chopped and/or 1 pound Turnip Greens
½ t hot pepper flakes
6 pita breads



Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Add 2 t of oil and garlic to a heavy skillet
Cook garlic over medium heat until golden
Transfer garlic and 1 T olive oil to food processor.
Add garbanzo beans, ¼ C water and blend until smooth
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat remaining oil in skillet on medium heat.
Add greens and cook until wilted (approx. 4 minutes)
Add ¼ C water and red pepper flakes. Simmer until greens are tender and all water is evaporated, approx. 2-3 minutes.

Spread pitas with garbanzo bean mixture and top with greens. Additional herbs and spices of your choice can be added.
Arrange pitas on baking sheets. Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Serve Warm.

Serves 4-6

Copyright 2010 
Lisa Casey, M.S.Ed of Living, Loving Food
All rights reserved.
If you re-post this recipe, please give credit where it is due and post a link to http://livinglovingfood.blogspot.com/2010/03/emerald-pita-pizzas.html