24°c Partly cloudy
18°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Mystery ingredient
Chickpea flour
Chickpea flour
What is it?
Literally ground chickpeas -- or garbanzo beans, as these high-protein legumes are also called. Also called gram flour or besan, it's a versatile and healthy (chickpeas are rich in dietary fibre and iron), gluten-free alternative to wheat flour that's commonly used in Indian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Looks like:
The flour can be made from either raw or roasted chickpeas and is an off-white colour with a hint of yellow, similar to cornmeal.
Tastes like:
The variety made with roasted chickpeas is more flavourful, while the raw kind is said to be slightly bitter. The flavour of chickpea flour has been described as everything from neutral to nutty to "aggressively beany." Apparently, some people find it causes flatulence.
Used in:
Gram flour can be used as a nutritious binder or thickener for soups, vegetable or poultry burgers, and as a substitute for one-quarter of any gluten-free flour mixture for baking. Mix it with an equal proportion of water to use as an egg replacement in vegan cooking.
A batter made with the flour is used to make a pancake known as chila, a popular Indian street food. The flour, made into a paste with water or yogurt, is also used as a facial exfoliant in the Indian subcontinent.
Found at:
Organza Market, 230 Osborne St.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 1, 2012 E4
More Food & Drink
- Back to Top
- Return to Food & Drink
More Food & Drink
(1 of 22 articles for this week)
Starbucks looks to become a destination for food as well
10:02 AM 0NEW YORK, N.Y. - Starbucks wants coffee fans to think of it as a spot to grab lunch or late ...
Poll
Most Popular Food & Drink
- Starbucks looks to become a destination for food as well
- Recipes for potato salad, chicken drumettes and luscious lemon buttermilk cake
- When 8 isn't enough
- Make it look natural; companies work to make packaged foods appear homespun
- Santa Lucia 'all over the map'
- Best restaurants of 2012
- Cream adds flavour, depth and texture to grilled meats, sides and desserts
- Two takes on traditional stuffed Ukrainian treats
- Poor preschooler eating habits can raise cholesterol, set stage for heart disease
- Sip, sup and stroll on new Exchange tour
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- Santa Lucia 'all over the map'
- Incorporate bacon into every dish -- even dessert
- Two takes on traditional stuffed Ukrainian treats
- Portuguese grocery store is now full-meal deal
- Where to eat -- or avoid -- in Winnipeg
- When 8 isn't enough
- Best restaurants of 2012
- Grocers say potato group illegally boosted spud prices, spied on farmers to enforce limits
- Sip, sup and stroll on new Exchange tour
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- Lots of worthwhile choices on the menu at surprising spot in Charleswood
- Portuguese grocery store is now full-meal deal
- Lovely West End Vietnamese spot offers great food, great value, great service
- Santa Lucia 'all over the map'
- Grub in the garbage: Dumpster divers eat discarded food and scoff at society's wasteful ways
- Incorporate bacon into every dish -- even dessert
- Best restaurants of 2012
- Whether sweet or savoury, delicious is spelled 'nalysnyky'
- Two takes on traditional stuffed Ukrainian treats
- Turkish delight
- Kitchen produces spectacular results at hidden-away downtown gem
- Legume love-in
- Two takes on traditional stuffed Ukrainian treats
- Sip, sup and stroll on new Exchange tour
- Incorporate bacon into every dish -- even dessert
- Two takes on traditional stuffed Ukrainian treats
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- Sip, sup and stroll on new Exchange tour
- Portuguese grocery store is now full-meal deal
- When 8 isn't enough
- THE HEALTHY PLATE: Recipe for healthy fish tacos with buttermilk avocado puree
- Santa Lucia 'all over the map'
- Turkish delight
- Lovely West End Vietnamese spot offers great food, great value, great service
- Portuguese grocery store is now full-meal deal
- Lovely West End Vietnamese spot offers great food, great value, great service
- Nutella not just for bread, it's good in recipes as well
- Incorporate bacon into every dish -- even dessert
- Whether sweet or savoury, delicious is spelled 'nalysnyky'
- Lots of worthwhile choices on the menu at surprising spot in Charleswood
- All hail caesar dressing as it tops off matador salad
- Two takes on traditional stuffed Ukrainian treats
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- 'Cue up some taste
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.