Chickpea Sandwich Spread

Name: Chickpea Sandwich Spread
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 7 servings.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup dill pickle relish; 1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise; 1/4 cup dill pickle juice; 1 tablespoon honey Dijon mustard; 2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas or garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained; 1/3 cup finely chopped celery; 1/3 cup shredded carrot; 7 whole wheat pita pocket halves; 2 cups fresh torn spinach; 7 tomato slices, halved

Trish Quinn of Cheyenne, Wyoming came up with this spread as an alternative to lunch meat. "The pickle juice gives this hummus-like mixture added flavor without fat," she notes.

Ingredients

1/2 cup dill pickle relish
1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1/4 cup dill pickle juice
1 tablespoon honey Dijon mustard
2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas or garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup finely chopped celery
1/3 cup shredded carrot
7 whole wheat pita pocket halves
2 cups fresh torn spinach
7 tomato slices, halved

Directions

In a blender, combine the pickle relish, mayonnaise, pickle juice and mustard. Add one can of chickpeas; cover and process until smooth. Gradually add remaining can of chickpeas; blend until smooth.
Transfer to a large bowl; stir in celery and carrot. Line pita bread with spinach leaves and tomato slices. Place about 1/2 cup chickpea mixture in each pita half.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 293 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 601mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 9g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 lean meat.

Originally published as Chickpea Sandwich Spread in Light & Tasty February/March 2005