Marinated Chickpeas with Whipped Feta

We are so pleased to share this guest blog from our friend and collaborator Ashley! We are still obsessed with the strawberry buttercream cookies she made for Valentine's Day, and are excited to work with her again on a summer recipe series. Enjoy her first course: Marinated Chickpeas with Whipped Feta.

Summer in the kitchen with Palouse Brand

Can I just say I love summer cooking? There’s something truly special about the bright fresh flavors and lighter dishes on hot days. Everything seems to be more simple.

Hey, I’m Ashley, the creator behind @red.ridge.roots on Instagram where I share my passion for gardening, preserving the harvest, and creating nourishing meals. I am a mom of four children who free roam on five wooded acres in the PNW. 

I am super excited to introduce and be a part of this 5-part summer series, where I’ll be sharing some of my favorite recipes featuring Palouse Brand’s high-quality legumes and wheat berries. From appetizers and refreshing salads to homemade bread, a hearty main dish and even dessert, I can’t wait to share how versatile these pantry staples can be. 

Why Palouse Brand?

One of the things I love most about Palouse Brand is their commitment to quality. Their legumes and wheat berries are grown on their multi-generational family farm here in Washington State, are certified glyphosate residue free, non-GMO, and can be traced directly back to the field where they were grown. Knowing exactly where my food comes from is important and one of the many reasons I reach for Palouse Brand in my own kitchen.

Why I love cooking with legumes

Legumes are one of the most nutritious and affordable foods you can keep stocked in your pantry. I love the fact that they can make a variety of meals. Legumes are naturally rich in plant-based protein and fiber. They are also packed with important vitamins and minerals, including iron, folate potassium, magnesium, and several B vitamins.

Whether you’re adding lentils to soup, tossing chickpeas into a salad, or cooking dry beans for a hearty family meal, legumes are an easy way to boost the nutritional value of everyday recipes.

Another reason to love using legumes is their versatility. They can easily be transformed into dips, salads, bread, soups, desserts, and comforting main dishes. They are such a simple ingredient to add to many dishes that make scratch cooking both practical and nourishing.

I hope this series inspires you to try something new in your kitchen and discover how delicious cooking with high-quality legumes and wheat berries can be.

Why use dry chickpeas?

While canned chickpeas are convenient, I almost always reach for dry chickpeas when I have the time. Cooking them from dry gives you better flavor and a creamier texture while still allowing the chickpeas to hold their shape. You also have complete control over the cooking process, so they aren't overly soft or mushy. Dry chickpeas are a pantry staple with a long shelf life, making them an economical option to keep on hand for quick meals. Whether you're making salads, soups, hummus, or appetizers like this one, starting with high-quality dried chickpeas is well worth the little bit of extra planning.

Are chickpeas healthy?

Absolutely! Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are incredibly nutritious. Not only are they a great source of plant protein and fiber, but chickpeas are also rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals such as manganese, folate, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin B6.