The Month of All Things Canned, Convenient and Crazy-Cheap
February is national Canned Food Month, and as bizarre as it sounds, dedicating the month to one of the most affordable foods on the market is actually pretty fitting for us students. Being the first month back at varsity with seemingly endless expenses, anything cheap and convenient quickly becomes the staple of our diets. If you still associate canned foods with boring old baked beans, let me enlighten you with just one of many easy, affordable and oh-so delicious meals you can make in celebration of Canned Food Month (a.k.a. Broke Student Month).
Roasted chickpeas
Be sure to stock your pantry with chickpeas – they’re a great source of fibre, protein, iron, and are low-GI!
Photo by: Anthea John
Honey-cinnamon and crispy-BBQ are just two of the delicious variations you can make of this protein-packed, fibre-filled snack. Simply buy a can for a low R9, 99 at Pick ‘n Pay, follow the recipe below and add whatever flavour you like! You can find endless options online, or get creative with whatever spices you have (even curry powder works!) Some ideas are cayenne pepper and paprika, popcorn spices like cheese or Aromat, or cinnamon and honey – you can pop this one back into the oven for a bit to make the honey caramelise!
Preheat the oven to 180°
Drain, rinse and pat dry the chickpea’s.
Add your spices according to how much you want (and about one tablespoon of oil to help it stick) and mix it all together in a bowl.
Pop them onto a tray with baking paper and into the oven.
Let them roast for 40-45 minutes, or until they become crisp and crunchy!
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature once they’re cooled down.
P.S. These are also delicious thrown into a salad or a wrap for some extra crunch, so don’t be afraid to make a big batch. Happy Canned food month!