Ban Bland Beans

A lot of us probably think vegetarian dishes can be kind of bland. Not true, especially when you use plenty of garlic and ginger.

You might think this vegetarian recipe calls for surprisingly large amounts of both. But it just won’t work with lesser quantities. Getting the right flavor balance is important. And when making Indian food, you can add lots of some ingredients that you would otherwise use sparingly.

Serve the garbanzo beans with a cool cucumber-tomato relish, and mop up with Indian bread or pita. Be brave. The results are worth it.

MENU

Spicy Garbanzo Beans and Tomatoes

Cucumber and Tomato Relish

Indian Bread or Pita Bread

GAME PLAN

25 minutes before: Mince garlic and ginger and saute.

20 minutes before: Add garbanzo beans, tomatoes and spices to skillet and simmer.

10 minutes before: Dice cucumber and tomato and make relish.

INGREDIENTS

SHOPPING LIST

Indian Bread or Pita Bread

Cilantro

Cucumber

2 cans garbanzo beans

Ginger root

2 cans diced tomatoes

*

STAPLES

Ground coriander

Ground cumin

Cayenne pepper

Garlic

Lemon

Oil

Tomato

Spicy Garbanzo Beans and Tomatoes

Active Work Time: 5 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 25 minutes * Vegetarian

2 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons minced garlic

3 tablespoons minced ginger root

2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans diced tomatoes drained

2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans garbanzo beans drained

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons lemon juice

* Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, until very fragrant, about 2 minutes.

* Add tomatoes, garbanzo beans, coriander, cumin, cayenne and salt. Simmer over medium-low heat until garbanzo beans are very tender and flavors have melded, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.

4 servings. Each serving: 363 calories; 931 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 10 grams fat; 60 grams carbohydrates; 13 grams protein; 4.34 grams fiber.

Cucumber and Tomato Relish

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 10 minutes

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

1 tomato, seeded and diced

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons minced cilantro

1/2 teaspoon salt

* Combine cucumber, tomato, cumin, lemon juice, cilantro and salt in medium bowl.

4 servings. Each serving: 48 calories; 324 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 1 gram fat; 11 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 0.89 gram fiber.