Dried Chick Peas

[storminabuttercup]

DP bought them and I've never used them, just spotted them in the cupboard and thought 'I'll ask Mumsnet!'

We love curries etc, I did a quick google but most recipes call for tinned!

Soak over night in plenty water. Drain, put in a big pan, cover with water, bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer until tender - don't add salt.

1 tin of chick peas = 1 1/2 cups of cooked, dried ones. You get 4 tins (or slightly more) from a 500gm bag of dried ones.

Add half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to the soaking water, will soften them more and make the cooking time shorter. If you cook the whole lot and only want to use some, the rest freeze really well.

I don't add bicarb as you can taste it in the peas after.

Ruins a curry.

I am making lentil and chick pea curry for tonight. I put them all in a big pan to soak yesterday morning, changed the water last night and this morning, will make it up at lunchtime and it will simmer all afternoon.

Long soak, long slow cook. (but you can get tins from the Asian supermarkets for really cheap, so I do tend to put those in other things like stews).