CHICKPEAS WITH LEMON SAUCE (‘DERBIE’)

Today's recipe is for my girlfriend Maria, a student in Rethymnon and a fan of our site.

She sent me a message a few days ago.
- My dear Nektaria, how can I make chickpeas? Although I did not eat them much at home, now that I am away I miss them. When I asked my mum, she told me to do different things and I tried to make them but I forgot to soak them in the water the night before and so the chickpeas didn’t cook. My mum thought that it was high time I learned how to cook them. Please, I hope you understand my problem and send me a recipe immediately.
I laughed a lot at my girlfriend’s inability and of course I sent her a recipe right away.

Ingredients:
500g of chickpeas
½ teaspoon soda
1 large dried onion
150ml olive oil
Salt & pepper

For the lemon sauce:
1.5 tablespoons flour
Juice of two lemons
Broth from the chickpeas

Method:
From the previous day, soak the chickpeas in water with the soda. The next day, rinse the chickpeas 2-3 times and boil them with plenty of water until they stop foaming. Remove the foam then keep the broth for later.
Strain the chickpeas and put them in a clean pot of water until covered. Place back on the heat and allow to boil. Add the chopped onion, olive oil and salt. Cook for as long as required until they are fully cooked.
In a bowl mix the lemon juice with the flour and half a cup of broth from the chickpeas. Pour the flour and lemon mix into the food and bring to the boil again.
Season with freshly ground pepper and if you want more flavor, add a little lemon zest.

Good luck!!!