food beats

Ok, so as I've started blogging more after a year of forgetting about it, I've realized...there may be maaaany food blogs to come! Hehe..i just love food! I love cooking, baking, entertaining, and discovering new recipes and tricks! This past weekend Rachel and I had some Mel, J, Shirley, and Carl over for dinner! Here's the menu..

• Currey Chickpea Masala over a warm bed of moist white rice
• Steamed Asparagus lightly buttered
• Tossed Greens salad with peppers, tomatoes, topped with greek and feta dressing
• Red Wine
• Dessert: Gluten-free apple pie baked to perfection, with vanilla frozen yogurt

Didn't manage to take any pictures of the amaaazzing meal, sadly! But it was a hit! I LOVE chickpeas. I don't think people cook with them enough. Also called garbanzo beans, they're loaded with vegetarian proteins (almost a complete protein). A protein called tryptophan, that you need for for the happy hormone seratonin and the sleep hormone melatonin, is found in huge amounts in chickpeas! They also have tons of minerals, calcium levels comparable to things like milk, yogurt, and cheese, and are aaaallso high in manganese, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and zinc! Something else cool I learned about them: They are an excellent source of the trace mineral molybdenum. Molybdenum is only needed in your body in trace amounts, and it's really important. It's a necessary component of the body to produce enzyme called sulfite oxidase. This enzyme is needed for detoxifying sulphites: chemical preservatives that are added to many wines, deli salads and dried fruits. Without molybdenum, hypersensitivity to sulphites can occur. Now you know everything there is to know about chickpeas. eat up!