Thursday, June 9, 2011

Fried Chickpeas (Garbanzos Fritos)

This one of my favorite dishes because you can eat the fried chickpeas with rice or by themselves. One of the best things about this Cuban dish is that it is very easy to make. If you are using dried uncooked chickpeas, it will take  a bit longer to make because you are going to have to pull out your pressure cooker , but you can always use canned chickpeas.
Ingredients

1 Lb of chickpeas
One medium size red onion (you can use any type of onion you like)1 red, yellow or green bell pepper
about 1/2 lb of Chorizo (spanish sausage)
1/2  lb of boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/2 pound of Serrano ham (cubbed)
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup of dry white cooking wine 
1 tbsp of dry oregano
1/4 cup of Mojo criollo (spanish marinade)
1 tbsp of chopped garlic
1/4 cup of chopped cilantro


Directions
 If you are using dried chickpeas, cook them in a pressure cooker on high for 30 minutes, then check to see if they are tender. If they are still hard cook for an additional 10 minutes or until tender.




Cut the chorizo in slices and set aside. You can purchase the ham already cubbed. Cut the chicken breasts in small pieces of about an inch in length. In a large sauce pan heat up some oil, you can use olive oil or whichever type you prefer. I normally cook with canola oil. Once the oil is very hot add the chorizo, the chicken and the ham. The only thing you need to make sure that cooks well is the chicken. The ham and chorizo are already cooked. As the meats cook, add the chopped onion, bell pepper, garlic and chopped cilantro and stir. Then add the tomato sauce, cooking wine, spanish marinade and dried oregano. Lower heat to medium and cook for approximately 30 minutes occasionally stirring.

Add salt to your taste. As I said before you can eat this alone but you can also eat with your favorite rice recipe. Buen Provecho!!!!