Cooking Challenge: Chickpeas

NAME OF RECIPE: Moroccan Rice Stew
* Inspired by a recipe off of Food.com (http://www.food.com/recipe/moroccan-spaghetti-very-low-fat-and-healthy-301361) - I changed an eliminated ingredients due to preference and availability in my pantry.

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup of uncooked brown rice (makes 1.5 cups cooked)
1 yellow onion, chopped finely
3 garlic cloves, crushed *** I think the crushed garlic is kinda weird, I would chop it so you don't end up eating a big piece of it!
28 ounces chopped tomatoes, from a can
1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon curry powder
< .25 teaspoons ginger
1 pinch salt
1 pinch black pepper
10 ounces chickpeas, from a can, drained and rinsed

DIRECTIONS:
1) Start cooking rice according to instructions
2) Meanwhile, heat a non-stick pan and spray with low fat cooking spray.
3) Add the onions and garlic and sautee until they start to get soft
4)Add the tomatoes, cinnamon, cumin, curry powder, ginger and salt and pepper and lightly simmer for about 8 minutes stirring frequently.
5) Stir in the chickpeas and heat just long enough to cook through, about 3 minutes.
7) Add in cooked rice and stir to make sure it is coated in sauce. Simmer for a few minutes to allow rice to absorb stew flavor.

Prep: 5 min
Cook: 20-30 min

CALORIES PER SERVING:
Calories (188) Carbs (38) Fat (1) Protein (5) Vit A (20) Fiber (5)

HOW MANY IT SERVES:
5 big servings

OPINIONS ON HOW IT TASTED, ETC:
I LOVE North African/Moroccan Food. That being said, this dish is hearty, filling, and I think it is delicious! Can absolutely taste a variety of flavors (although me, spice nut that I am want even more next time!). The flavor is very deep and savory (with a hint of sweet from the cinnamon), not hot spicy at all - though I think it would be WONDERFUL hot if I could figure out what sort of spices would help with that. I'm really happy with this recipe, but I need to give a serving or two to my roommate - because it makes a lot (and I eat a smaller serving size than average to begin with) and also, I want an opinion!

PICTURE (optional): Never added pics before - let's see if this works!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gewIuSYW7To/TLY4tx681PI/AAAAAAAAAyU/DBkXXNW37NA/CIMG3824.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gewIuSYW7To/TLY5mAidTbI/AAAAAAAAAy4/oqN8B5NVUl8/s640/CIMG3826.JPG

Hummus

-1 can of chickpeas
-1-2 tablespoons tahini ( its sesame paste)
-1-2 tablespoons fat free plain yogurt
-1-2 teaspoons of garlic paste-or u can use fresh garlic
- lemon juice (i squeeze a fresh lemon)
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-red paprika
-parsley

Drain the chickpeas- i also wash them to get as much sodium out as possible, add them to a blender or food processing machine that you have, then add the tahini, yogurt, garlic, and the lemon juice, depending on how ur like it to taste, u can add half lemon if you dont like the lemony taste, add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Blend everything for 1-2 minutes, then spread it with a spatula on your plate, sprinkle with parsley, and paprika, and 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. You can add more olive oil for better taste but i try to use as little as possible. Enjoy

Smoked Salmon Salad (easy and elegant)

Ingredients:
1 cup of uncooked Jasmine Rice (prepare as instructed)
9 oz of smoked salmon (I buy the tips because they are already chopped up)
1/2 Red onion finely diced
1 can of chickpeas - rinsed
1 bunch of cilantro chopped
1/4 cup of Mirin
Salt and pepper to taste
1 bag of baby spinach (washed)

Directions:
Prepare rice per instructions. Let cool to room temp. Meanwhile prep all ingredients.
Place spinach on plate, top with salad. 1 cup of uncooked Jasmine Rice (prepare as instructed).

If someone can tell me how to add a photo I will be happy to!!

Per Serving: 254 calories - 40g carbs -3g fat -15g protein 697 mg sodium