Curry Roasted Chickpeas

These are so simple that they do not even really need a recipe. Chickpeas are an inexpensive source of protein, complex carbohydrates and fiber, making them very filling. I like to eat these plain but they are nice when sprinkled on salads too. Coconut oil is very good to use for roasting because it has a high smoke point, meaning that it stays intact at higher heats than most oils. When an oil hits its smoke point it changes on a molecular level and becomes oxidized, making it potentially damaging to our cells (what antioxidants protect us from). Coconut oil also contains saturated fat in the form of medium-chain triglycerides. While excessive amounts of saturated fat in long-chain forms (commonly from red meat and processed foods) can be hard on the body and potentially contribute to artery clogging, the medium-chain forms are processed differently by our bodies. They are absorbed more directly and easily, thus providing an easy source of energy. If fats were gasoline and our bodies were vehicles, coconut oil would be high octane fuel.