Fried Chickpeas

Fried chickpeas: A great and cheap snack based on the humble garbanzo bean.

Ingredients:

1 (14 oz.) can of garbanzo beans
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup or so peanut oil– depending on the size of your pan. Pay no attention to the Canola oil in the photo. Peanut oil has a higher smoke temperature and is better for shallow frying.
1 tsp salt, to taste
1 tsp pepper, to taste.

Optional herbs or spices – you can add any kind of flavoring or spices you like.
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp ground cumin
seasoned salt - whatever.

Rinse the garbanzo beans under running water to wash off the can juice.

Drain the garbanzo beans on a clean kitchen towel with a paper towel to blot.

In a medium size bowl, blend the flour, salt, pepper, and assorted spices of your choice together.   Roll the garbanzos in the flour mixture until they are evenly coated.

Pour the peanut oil in a medium-sized frying pan, until the oil is about a half inch deep.

Heat the oil until its bubbly, and fry the garbanzo beans in small batches until crispy and golden.

Drain the beans on a paper towel, and use newspaper or phone book pages underneath to blot excess oil.

Sprinkle on any additional salt, pepper or other seasonings if needed, and enjoy!