Profile: Garbanzo beans are raw chickpeas that are all-natural. Chickpeas can be used to produce healthful side dishes or hummus at home. Chickpeas bring additional fiber and protein to salads and soups.

Prepare Chickpeas: 

To make the beans on the stovetop, combine soaked or dry beans with water, oil, or butter. Bring the beans to a boil, then lower to a low heat, cover, and cook until soft. Depending on the bean variety, this process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours. Check the beans every now and then to see if they're still submerged in the cooking liquid. If the tops of the beans become exposed, cover them with very hot tap water. Some foam will naturally form on top of the cooking liquid. This foam is made up of water-soluble protein that has been released from the beans and will be absorbed back into the cooking liquid. (When cooking beans, add one tablespoon of butter, jus (to taste), or vegetable oil for each cup of beans to keep the foam down.)