Recipe - Whole-Wheat Pasta with Garbanzo Beans

This deliciously simple Italian recipe is packed with healthy ingredients and fresh flavors. Great for a filling lunch that will keep you going all afternoon, or a light supper, this one takes 30-minutes or less to prepare, and leftovers are even more tasty once the flavors have had time to blend.

Whole-Wheat Pasta with Garbanzo Beans
Image via WikipediaServes 2 - 3

Ingredients:
5 oz small whole-wheat pasta shapes
1 (15oz) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 large ripe tomatoes, diced
2 tbsp black olives, pitted and chopped
Handful of fresh basil, torn
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and pepper

Instructions:

•  Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain and set aside.
• In the meantime, heat the olive oil in a large skillet and add the garlic. Sauté for a few minutes, then add the beans. Stir until the beans are heated through. 
• Remove from the heat and mix in the tomatoes, olives and basil. 
• Season with freshly ground pepper and salt. 
• Divide the pasta on dinner plates and serve with the bean/tomato mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and serve immediately.

More Great Italian Recipes:
   

Recipe - Super Spiced Garbanzo Bean Snacks

Here is a tasty and healthy snack even the kids will love! (It's so easy, they can help make it, too.) Or toss a couple of handfuls into a tasty summer green salad for a quick and easy lunch that will give you energy throughout the afternoon.
Image via WikipediaSuper Spiced Garbanzo Bean Snacks

Ingredients:
2 cans (15 oz size) garbanzo beans
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp curry powder
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and get out a large baking sheet.
2. Drain garbanzo beans, rinse, and drain well.
3. Put garbanzo beans in bowl and pour olive oil in, tossing to coat the beans well.
4. Spread garbanzo beans out on baking sheet.
5. In small bowl, mix together the seasonings.
6. Sprinkle 1/2 seasoning mixture evenly over garbanzo beans on baking sheet, shake beans to coat, then sprinkle remaining half of seasonings over beans, and shake again to coat.
7. Put in preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, shaking to mix up beans once during baking time. 
8. Garbanzo beans are done baking when they crisp up; adjust your cooking time accordingly.

Serve warm as a snack or use as a topping for green salads, soups, or casseroles.

Other Garbanzo Bean Recipes:

• Roasted Chickpeas (adashofdomestic.wordpress.com)
• Lemon-Garlic Garbanzo Bean Pasta (rosebites.com)
• Homemade Hummus: Cheap, Simple, Nutty and Yummy (25dancer.wordpress.com)