Boil chickpeas for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until they are tender.
To properly boil chickpeas, follow these steps:
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Soaking (Recommended): Cover dried chickpeas with cold water and add a pinch of bicarbonate of soda (optional). Soak for 8-12 hours. Soaking helps reduce cooking time and makes the chickpeas more digestible.
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Rinsing: Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas thoroughly.
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Boiling: Place the rinsed chickpeas in a saucepan and cover with fresh cold water, ensuring the water level is about 8-10 cm above the chickpeas.
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Simmering: Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
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Cooking Time: Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chickpeas are tender. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the age and variety of the chickpeas, and whether or not they were soaked. Check for doneness by tasting a few chickpeas. They should be soft and easily mashed.
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Draining: Once cooked, drain the chickpeas and they are ready to use in your recipe.
