Chickpeas

1. Sort and rinse your dried chickpeas. (If using canned skip this step.) Fill a large bowl with 6 cups water, pour chickpeas into bowl and soak overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 375° F. Drain your soaked chickpeas, set aside.
3. In a large dutch oven or large pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onion to pan, sautee until slightly browned.
4. Lower the heat to medium-low and add minced garlic and sautee for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Add the spices, salt and lemon zest to garlic and onions and sautee for another 30 seconds.
6. Add vegetable stock to pot and then the chickpeas (soaked or canned). Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir mixture together and then bring to a boil. Then, turn the heat off and cover the pot with a lid.
7. Next, put the dutch oven into your preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, depending on the chickpeas you are using. (If you are using canned, it should take around 45 minutes for the chickpeas to soak up the yummy liquid. If you are using dry, soaked chickpeas it will take closer to an hour to an half and half for the beans to soak up the liquid.)
8. Once the liquid has been absorbed by the chickpeas they are done. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Toppings:

1. Slice your pita bread into triangles, drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/8 tsp salt over top and place onto a sheet tray (Skip this step if you bought pre-made pita chips!)
2. Bake pita chips in the oven with your chickpeas for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they burn easily!

Vegetable Topping:

1. Slice 1 pint cherry tomatoes in half lengthwise. Peel, seed and chop cucumber to 1 inch chunks.
2. Serve with Greek yogurt, feta cheese, kalamata olives and hot sauce as desired.

To Plate:

1. Set pita chips on plate, top with dollops of Greek Yogurt, then the delicious braised chickpeas, cucumber and tomatoes, feta, kalamata olives and hot sauce. Enjoy!!