Active Time

　　45 min

　　Total Time

　　3 hr

　　Cooked dried chickpeas are firmer and more flavorful than canned.

　　Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 3 hr

　　Servings: Makes about 5 cups.

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 5 cups

　　1 lb dried chickpeas, picked over

　　1 small onion, halved

　　2 sprigs fresh thyme

　　1 tablespoon salt

　　

Step 1

Boil chickpeas in water to cover by 2 inches in a 3-quart saucepan, covered, 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let chickpeas stand, covered, 1 hour.

　　

Step 2

Drain chickpeas and return to pan. Add water to cover by 4 inches, onion, and thyme and simmer, uncovered, until chickpeas are tender, about 1 1/4 hours, adding salt during last 10 minutes of cooking.

　　

Step 3

Drain chickpeas and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Slip skins from chickpeas by rubbing them with your fingers, then drain well.

　　Cooks' note:

　　•Chickpeas can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.