High-protein chickpea recipes for weight loss

Chickpeas are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It contains folate, manganese, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and is a good source of protein. The protein-rich food therefore promotes digestive health, is said to decrease the risk of certain cancers and also aids weight loss transformation. This is one of the primary reasons why chickpeas are considered a superfood.

​Also read: Ragi, Jowar, Bajra: Do's and don'ts of eating millets​

Due to the high fiber and protein content, chickpeas are considered to be great for weight loss. It is said to slow down digestion, improve satiety and keep unhealthy calories at bay. All of these factors help in shedding kilos and maintaining a healthy weight. For those of you looking to lose some weight, here are some chickpea recipes to try.

​Also read: 63-year-old doctor claims his body is 20 years younger, shares his fitness routine​

Ingredients:

1 cup chickpeas (white)
2 tbsp oil
2 cloves
2 cardamom
1 medium finely chopped onion
2 tsp ginger paste
2 tsp garlic paste
1 green chili
2 medium pureed tomato
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 ½ tsp red chili powder
1 tsp coriander powder
2 tsp chana masala powder
1 ½ tsp pomegranate seeds powder
1 ½ cups water
½ tsp amchur powder
Chopped coriander leaves
Salt to taste

Rinse and wash chickpeas and soak in water overnight. Drain the water. Turn on 'saute mode' on an Instant Pot. Add oil, black cardamoms and cloves. Saute for sometime and add chopped onions and let it cook until they turn golden brown. Add ginger paste, garlic paste and chopped green chilies. Mix and saute for a minute. Add tomato puree and mix again. Next, add salt to taste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder and anardana powder. Mix well for 30 seconds. Add soaked chickpeas and water and stir together. Cover the lid of the Instant Pot. Cook on manual for 20 - 25 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot.

Ingredients:

2 cup wheat flour
1 cup raw chickpeas (chana)
1 medium chopped onions
Chopped coriander
1 green chili
1 tsp of grated ginger
1 tsp red chili powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp dried mango powder(amchur)
1/4 tsp asafetida (hing)
1/3 tsp carom seeds
3 tsp oil
Salt to taste
Water as required

Knead wheat flour into a dough. Pour water as per requirement. Ensure that you prepare the dough 15-20 minutes before cooking. Wash chickpeas and soak in warm water for 3-4 hours. Pressure cook the chickpeas for 8-9 whistles. Mash the chickpeas, add onions, coriander, green chili, ginger, red chili powder, garam masala, dried mango powder, asafetida, salt to taste and mix it well. Take a ball of dough, add the filling into it and roll in a circular motion. Heat a pan and add some oil or ghee. Transfer the paratha to the tawa and cook on both sides. Serve hot with curd or chutney.

Ingredients:

1 cup raw quinoa
1 cup chickpeas
1 cup tomatoes
1 cup grated cucumber
½ cup grated carrots
1 bell pepper
½ onion
1 bunch coriander leaves
½ cup olive oil
1 lemon juice
3 cloves garlic
salt and pepper
½ tsp dried oregano

Firstly, cook the quinoa. Next, wash and rinse chickpeas and keep aside. Chop all the vegetables into tiny little pieces. In a mixing bowl, whisk lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt, pepper and oregano. Add cooked quinoa, chickpeas, vegetables and combine together. Add the dressing and toss. Serve with some cheese on top.

Ingredients:

1 cup dried black chickpeas (kala chana)
1 finely chopped medium onion
1 finely chopped large tomato
2 finely chopped green chilies
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp chaat masala
1 tsp roasted cumin powder
1 tsp amchur powder
2 - 3 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp black salt or regular
2 - 3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

Wash and rinse black chickpeas. Soak in water overnight. Drain the water the next morning. Pressure cook the soaked chickpeas for 6-7 minutes. Let the pressure release on its own. Once softened, keep aside.

In a large bowl, add chopped onions, tomatoes, green chillis, coriander leaves and cooked chickpeas. Mix properly. Add spices, lemon juice and salt and serve cold.