Being a mom and a lover of healthy eats, I pay close attention to what my children are eating.
I sometime struggle to find new, interesting ways to cook healthy food that my kids will actually eat. I’m sure I am not the first person to have this problem and I’m sure I won’t be the last. If you don’t have kids, let me be real with you, when it comes to kids and eating- the struggle is real. It is a constant roller coaster of loving something one minute and refusing to eat it the next. So I am in a constant state of searching for the next best method, recipe or ingredient to keep their ever changing palettes happy and their ever growing bodies healthy.
Enter, chickpeas. This wonderful legume is versatile, easy to work with and downright tasty. They are great when roasted for a healthy snack, as an addition to dish for an extra kick of fiber, or when mashed into a patty that tiny hands can grab, dip and devour. That last example is exactly what I did for this recipe, I even snuck in some spinach on them.
WHY you should give it a try:
Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
- Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are high in fiber which is great for the digestive tract, keeping you full longer and keeping blood sugar stable.
- They are also great for the heart as they help to lower the amount of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
- Full of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.
- 1 cup of chickpeas can provide 85% daily value of manganese, an energy producing mineral.
Spinach
- The flavonoids and antioxidants, from the phytonutrients present, have been proven to help combat many cancers.
- High amounts of vitamin A are great for eye health and have anti-aging properties.
- The abundance of potassium has many benefits including- protection against loss of muscle mass, preservation of bone mineral density and reduction in the formation of kidney stones.
Not only are the mini patties great for tiny hands, this recipe can be made into a big patty for mom and dad to enjoy as well. Scroll on to read more about these gems.
WHERE to get the goods:
- Chickpeas are found in the canned vegetable isle. In order to keep these as healthy as possible, try to purchase from a company that uses BPA free cans.
- Spinach is a year round leafy green also easily found at your local grocery store.
HOW to enjoy it:
- For kids- I make them into mini patties, about 2 inches in diameter that they can eat with ease.
- Mini patties also make great sliders. I love them wrapped in lettuce.
- For adults, these can be made into big patties that can also be wrapped in lettuce or place on your favorite bun.
- Simple and delicious on a plate with a salad. (Try it with my honey mustard).
Please leave a comment and let me know how they went over with the picky eaters in your life.
Thanks for stopping by!
Em
- 1 (15 oz) can Chickpeas
- 1 cup packed spinach, finely chopped
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1/3-1/2 cup cornmeal- see notes
- 3 tbsp grapeseed oil, divided
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp mustard powder
- 1/4 tsp salt and pepper
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tbsp oil.
- While the oil heats, place chickpeas into a food processor or blender pulse until you have a chunky mixture.
- When oil is heated place onion, salt and pepper into pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, add spinach cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add spinach and onion to chickpeas and pulse until well mixed. Leave it as a chunky texture, we don't want it too smooth.
- Pour chickpea mixture into bowl and add remaining ingredients; Mix well into a “doughy” consistency.
- Using the same pan from earlier, add 2 tbsp of oil over medium heat.
- Make the chickpea “dough” into patties about 2 inches in diameter and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side*.
- Serve with dipping sauce of choice, or as a slider on a bun or lettuce.
- Enjoy!
- *If making bigger patties, the cooking time will increase to 4-5 minutes per side.
- More cornmeal will make a denser dough. Play around the amount until you have reached the consistency that you like.
