A Healthy Snack: Roasted Chickpeas

Trying to diet? Who isn't?

Do you work in an office that's populated with biscuits and 'just one' has the potential to turn into twenty?  Do you have a busy schedule and some how, the only thing you have time to eat is a bag of Minstrels? Are healthy 'whole food' bars just too expensive?

Never fear! A fairly quick, super easy, mega cheap solution is here: Roasted chickpeas.

It's a tasty snack which is high in protein and dietary fibre, so you won't feel guilty snacking on these little treats throughout the day. It'll take under an hour of your time, costs about 40p (providing you have some oil and seasoning) and a 6 year old human child could probably do it.

What you need:

• Chickpeas (tinned is preferable)
• Oil of your choice.
• Seasoning of your choice! If you fancy something spicy, maybe use some curry powder mixed with a bit of chilli powder. Something simply, yet tasty? Your oil could be olive oil, and you could just season with sea salt and cracked black pepper. I've seen some ready mixed seasoning in the supermarkets, so if you fancied a Chinese taste,or a Cajun taste, you can just buy that ready made in a shaker. Also, I'm aware that Nando's sell their famous 'chip salt' in a shaker in some super markets - peri peri chickpeas, anyone?

Method:

1. Drain. Drain the chickpeas then put them between two kitchen towels on a baking tray and dry them gently. Some skins will fall off; just take them out once you've dried the chickpeas.

Chickpea skin. Remove !

2. Oil them up! Drizzle some oil on the chickpeas. You don't need a lot at at all; about two table spoons at the most. Move them all around on the tray until they're all covered.

3. Season a little. You can season them now, or season them after baking. I'm a little greedy so I do both. Tip: If this is your first time doing this, is might be a good idea to season afterwards so you can keep a closer eye on the colour of the chickpeas.

4. Roast time. Put them in the oven, on about 200C for about 45 minutes. Keep an eye on them! They'll slowly, but surely, go a nice golden colour. Check on them in 10 minute intervals and give them a shake so they roast evenly. Tip: It might be worth tasting one before deciding they're done roasting. They should be a nice crunchy texture - no longer soft!

5. Season a little more (or the rest if you haven't done it)

6.You're finished! Eat at room temperature. I bag these up and take them to work and keep them on my desk to nibble throughout the day.

Enjoy!