Chickpeas are a staple ingredient in our pantry. Looking beyond familiar standards like hummus, falafel, and chana masala, a wide variety of soups, braises, and salads leverage the satisfying heartiness of this creamy legume. In this collection, we focus on dishes where dried or canned chickpeas are the main ingredient, but we also decided to include several braises and stews where these beans play an essential supporting role.

Of course, whole chickpeas are just the beginning: chickpea flour can be fashioned into a crispy, savory batter for pakoras, or a soft and custardy farinata. Aquafaba, the cooking liquid found in canned chickpeas, is an essential egg substitute in vegan recipes for meringue, frosting, mayonnaise, and pancakes.