Have you tried green garbanzo beans yet? These beans, unlike the beige colored and dark brown (desi) chickpeas are freshly picked and are green. They have a wonderful flavor much sweeter than other two varieties. Earlier when I wrote a post on Green Chana curry I said that fresh garbanzo beans were only available in Indian stores and farmer’s market. But now they are slowly getting popular in west and bags of green garbanzo beans are appearing in the frozen isle of certain other grocery stores.
The recipe I am sharing with you today has green garbanzo beans and nutrela granules. Both are a healthy source of protein and high in dietary fiber.
My friend Anu, is a strict vegetarian who does not eat garlic and onion, while we really love onions. I respect her sentiments and when she comes over I cook something that works for all of us, which is why I cooked the filling for tacos with only ginger and served pickled onion separately besides crisp cabbage, grape tomatoes and jalapeno dip. It is a very satisfying and healthy vegetarian recipe with interesting texture and flavors. You will be amazed as to how such a simple meal can have so much flavor.
Oops! there is no dip showing in the above pictures. I did not want the tacos to harden so I hurriedly took a shot and forgot about the dip. Anyways, here is the picture of the dip that I used. Its made with all natural probiotic yogurt and tastes really good but it is not spicy at all. I added extra ground jalapeno to the dip.
How to warm corn tortillas
Corn tortillas are delicate and dry out very quickly; I usually serve it warm before they even get a chance to cool down. To warm and keep the tortillas soft, brush oil on both sides of tortilla and place it on a hot griddle or cast iron skillet. Let the tortilla heat on each side for 20 -30 sec. Repeat process for all tortillas. If you have more than one gas burner then heat two or three skillets so that you can get quite a few of them at one time. Wrap warm tortillas in aluminum foil lined with cloth napkin and place it in insulated casserole.
Here are few links that tell you other methods of warming up corn tortillas that you may choose. I like my corn tortillas warm and toasted, not moist so I prefer griddle method.
Crispy chips and tostadas: from the microwave
Heating up tortillas like restaurants
The best way to warm tortillas
Ingredients
- 1(310 g) packet green chana /garbanzo beans/ choliya
- 1/2 cup nutrela granules
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp finely chopped ginger
- 1.5 tsp ground roasted cumin
- 1.5 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- salt to taste
- 3 tbsp oil
- 1 1/4 cup water
- yellow or white corn tortillas
- 2-3 cup shredded green cabbage
- 3/4 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 3/4 cup pickled red onion
- 3/4 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cup jalapeno dip
Instructions
- Marinate 1 cup thinly sliced red onion into 1/2 cup pure white vinegar with 1/2 tsp salt. Leave it aside for 1 hour and then strain.
- Soak nutrela granules in water for 15 minutes.
- Heat oil in a pan, saute chopped ginger.
- Add rinsed green chana, strained nutrela granules and tomato paste with water.
- Bring it to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until the liquid is almost absorbed about 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in lemon juice and all the dry ingredients. Cook for 2 minutes and check if the green chana are fully cooked, if not then add more water to cook.
- Remove from heat.
- Warm the tortilla in the griddle as written above.
- Top tortillas with green garbanzo and nutrela filling, shredded cabbage, pickled onion, quartered grape tomatoes and jalapeno dip.
- Fold and enjoy!
Update: May 21, 2014
If you are buying the green garbanzo beans from Costco then you just have to cook them for a minute or so. They are very tender and stays green than the one I used in my recipe.
anne
Bal , I’ve tried green garbanzo before – canned though 😛 This is a good alternative if you want a meatless filling , full of wonderful flavors and healthy as well .
Choc Chip Uru
Er had something similar at camp, this is way too delicious 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Nava Krishnan
Not sure if I can find a few of the ingredients over here, unless I find at some high end hypermarkets. Esp the nutrela granules which I have never heard and seen before. Let me see what can be the nearest to it, Quite curious to find out though.
I love vegetarian meals too, its a good chance and a break from eating meat. This is so inviting and a perfect meal when guest are over, nothing heavy but pure satisfaction.
Blackswan
This is some awesome dip you’ve got there, Balvinder! Certainly great pairing with Tacos or any chips 🙂
yummychunklet
Great looking tacos!
Juliana
Balvinder, these tacos look great and I love the idea of Greek yogurt as dip…
Hope you are having a lovely week 😀
Coffee and Crumpets
I don’t think I’ve ever had green garbanzo unless I did in India when I was little. This is a great meatless dish, great looking tacos!
Nazneen
Sridevi Ravi
A good alternative for red beans. I have not come across green channa. Good to know about it! This is so healthy and everyone can assemble it to their taste.
Malti Sharma
The tacos look terrific! love the different textures and flavors that you have used. I looked at frozen bag of green chana yeterday in Fruticana, but for some reason my mind was drawing a total blank for ideas beyond green chana curry. I am sure this will be loved by my older boy, he’s turning a complete vegetarian these days.
What kind of corn tortilla do you use? I only saw white ones in the store.
Amelia
Hi Balvinder, your this tacos look scrumptious and healthy. Nice plating. I love tortillas too, can make 2 pieces fro me. 🙂
Have a wonderful week ahead.
easyfoodsmith
I am suddenly feeling a craving for these tacos. Love the healthy green garbanzo version.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
The green garbanzo filling looks so inviting!
Kitchen Belleicious
I absolutely hands down love the idea of that dip! I love heat and jalapenos are one of our favoites to eat in our house! This is definitely a must make soon
Vicki Bensinger
I’ve never seen the green garbanzo or nutrela before. I will have to check that out. This sounds like a nice alternative to beef tacos with good flavor. I’m guessing the shells are also gluten free?
Balvinder
Yes Vicki, the shells are gluten free. Every recipe that I use on my blog uses gluten free ingredients. Even though sometime the package does not say it but I check the ingredient list and when in doubt I call toll free number written on that product.
Jennifer Eloff
Not sure if I’ve had those, Balvinder. Your tacos look tasty and extra special with the dip.
Monica from Addonkitchen.com
Great recipe and images with more useful info. I’ll have to try them :)).
Thanks for sharing.