Spicy Chickpeas With Ginger

Step 1

Drain the chickpeas. Put them in a saucepan, cover with 3 quarts fresh water, and boil for 10 minutes. Skim off any foam that collects on the surface, then lower the heat. Add the garlic, parsley, onion and oil. Simmer, partly covered, until the peas are almost tender, about 45 minutes. Add the salt, and continue cooking until the peas are completely tender but not mushy, about 30 minutes more. Strain, reserving the broth. This should yield about 3 cups chickpeas.

Step 2

For the sauce, warm the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until well browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Lower the heat, and add the bay leaf, garlic, ginger, spices, salt, pepper and two-thirds of the diced tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the reserved chickpea broth and the chickpeas. Simmer until the liquid is reduced to a saucelike consistency. Adjust the seasonings, and add lemon juice to taste. Serve accompanied by the remaining diced tomato, diced onion, minced jalapeno and chopped cilantro or scatter them over the chickpeas.