Roasted Chickpeas With a Spice Rub Topped with a Sweet Corn Salad and a Mixed CD Rediscovered

As it happens, I am signing along to my old mixed CD right now. I know, mixed CD’s are so not 2013, just like the mixed tape was so 90’s (I think I still have one of those somewhere!).

Over the weekend, I was going through my CD collection and I found several CD’s with no label. Immediately, I was curious. Before I had enough time to wonder what was on them, I popped one into my CD player (yes, I still have and use a CD player – why give up something if it works for you?). I listened to the first song – it was the theme song to Dawson’s Creek. Oh how I loved Dawson’s Creek in high school. All of the CD’s were made when I was in high school, which also means there was some 98 Degrees on there, as well as one of Mandy Moore’s slow songs. As I listened, I realized how dated the whole CD was.

The others weren’t much better. They were filled with songs that didn’t “go” together. On the CD I’m listening to now, Jose Gonzalez’ more serious song “Crosses” is followed by the danceable “Turn Around” and then by Diana Ross singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Oh don’t worry, the song order and choices get worse. I am mortified to admit the song “Cut Throat,” by Figure and Whiskey Pete (who they are, I have no idea) is on there too. That was followed several of Madonna’s songs: “Like a Virgin,” “Material Girl,” and “Papa Don’t Preach.” Do Madonna’s songs ever go out of style? I don’t think so. “Material Girl” even got me to my feet. I was doing a nice 80’s step touch and dancing around the house with the poodles in tow.

What was I thinking? I have no idea and yet I’m moving to the songs like I made the CD yesterday. It brings me back to my high school years, which were nearly 10 years ago now. Back in middle school, even longer ago, I was making mixed tapes to Kiss 95.7’s 9 at 9. I would sit on my bedroom floor waiting for favorite songs to come on just so I could press the record button and enjoy it later. What songs did you used to record on mixed tapes or CD’s? Feel free to share even the most embarrassing songs, as I really can’t judge at this point.

I realize that my finding my mixed CD’s has nothing to do with my roasted chickpea dinner, which was as satisfying as it was delicious. I put a dry spice rub on the chickpeas before popping them into the oven, which gave them a bit of heat upon first taste. The corn salad was a bit sweeter and helped cut the heat of the spiced chickpeas (find the recipe here – this time I just used frozen organic corn, which I defrosted, not fresh). I served it all on top of pan roasted potatoes (season with minced garlic, a bit of salt, pepper, and cumin and cook until crispy or click here for Thom’s irresistable recipe for Vegan Mexican Roasted Potatoes).

Roasted Chickpeas: 

*Serves 2 with the corn salad

Ingredients: 

1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 tsp of olive oil

1/2 tsp of smoked paprika

1/4 tsp of chili powder

a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp of sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Method: 

1- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Take out a bowl and pour the rinsed chickpeas in. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well (making sure all of the chickpeas are evenly coated). Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the chickpeas begin to turn golden brown. Taste the chickpeas after baking – if necessary add a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and paprika (as some of the spices will rub off on the pan during roasting). Serve with corn salad and pan-roasted potatoes. This would also be delicious served with rice or atop a green salad. Enjoy!

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